Millions of auto accidents happen across the country every year. If you have been in an auto accident, there is always the chance that legal action could be taken against you.
Even if you don’t think you were at fault, the other party might try to prove that you acted somewhat negligently and that you were at least a percentage to blame for what happened.
They will do this so that they don’t have to foot the bill and their insurance isn’t liable for all the damages.
If you find out the other party is taking legal action against you, you should stay calm. While it is frightening to be sued, and there could be major implications, but there are several things that come into play when determining a settlement value and liability.
Your Insurance Will Represent You
Your insurance company will represent you in the lawsuit. If they believe that you are liable for the damages that resulted, they will try to negotiate a settlement to keep the case out of court.
It is much less expensive for out of court settlements, and often, the other party is willing to settle and doesn’t want to waste time and resources by going to court over the matter. There are several factors regarding the crash that will be considered, such as if the car was moving, parked, or stopped.
The weather and the road conditions, and if any traffic laws were being violated when the crash occurred. If you were following too closely or failed to yield right-of-way, you will be considered at fault and liable for the damages.
When Your Insurance Pays Damages
Anytime your insurance company must pay out a claim, regardless of whether you were sued or not, you can expect your premiums to increase unless it is your first accident and you have accident forgiveness.
The amount that they pay out, the number of past claims, and your driving history all come into play.
State laws also come into play, as some states have regulations that dictate what can be used by an insurance company when they are determining a rate for a customer. Some states also have guidelines for how much premiums can increase after a claim has been paid out on the customer’s behalf.
Consult with a Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been involved in any kind of auto accident, or if you are being sued for an auto accident, consult with a personal injury attorney.
An accident injury lawyer will investigate your crash and determine the best way to proceed with your claim. With an attorney’s help, you might be able to recoup compensation by pursuing a claim against the other driver.
Personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, so you have nothing to worry about. Your lawyer will not be paid until you get compensated for damages.
Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form today, so you can have an attorney review the details of your case.
