What happens after a car accident when it is not your fault? Well, in a perfect world, you speak to the insurance company and explain everything. They determine whether it is a total loss or can be repaired. They take care of it, and you are done in no time. But that not easily things are done. And sometimes, things do not work out as you want them to. You were present at the time of the accident and knew what had happened. But you have to explain it to the insurance company. Sydney Autos shared a blog post will tell you how to avoid paying for a vehicle accident when it was not your fault.
What Is A Liability Coverage?
Nobody is perfect, and even safe drivers have accidents. When your mistake causes a crash, it is unfair for others to stick with the bill. That is why drivers in all states must carry liability insurance to cover the costs of other people’s injuries and property damages. Liability coverage is part of your car insurance policy. It helps pay for the other driver’s expenses if you cause a car accident.
How Can You Tell Who Is At Fault In A Car Accident?
After you are in a car accident, you will file a claim. And the insurance company will assign an adjuster to determine fault. Determining fault can be a long and complicated process. The insurance adjuster will take into account the following things:
- Driver and witness statements.
- Dash Cam Footage
- Location of vehicle damage
- The position of the vehicle involved
- Citations Issued After The Accident
Insurance adjusters make a final decision using the legal definition of negligence when a driver fails to exercise the same amount of caution that a “reasonable person” would under the same circumstances. Adjusters may also consult accident reconstruction experts to determine the fault. These experts consider factors such as the point of impact, evidence of sudden acceleration, and the angle of the steering wheel.
Should I File A Claim On My Insurance Or At-Fault Party’s Insurance
This question may concern you after you have come out of the chaotic situation of an accident. It is often better to file a claim to fix your car with the at-fault party’s insurance carrier than price value of your car. And here is the reason why.
You can get a rental vehicle for the period they are repairing your car. Even if it is fixed perfectly, a vehicle involved in an accident is not worth much. And secondly, you have a claim against an at-fault party for what is called diminished value. A diminished value claim allows you to recover from the at-fault party’s insurance company. The difference is between a car that hasn’t been hit and a car that has been hit. However, a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance carrier usually takes longer. That is particularly true if they are disputing liability. So you may want to consider filling the claim on your collision coverage if you have it.