Nothing is more important than escaping a car accident with your health, but that does not change the fact that getting your damaged car repaired is a huge inconvenience. It may help you to know that there are several options available to you to do so quickly and effectively, but it can depend on what type of car insurance coverage you have, if the other driver is insured, as well and most importantly who is considered to be at fault for the incident. This is why being knowledgeable on what steps to take next can make a big difference on how your situation ends up being resolved.

Who Is Responsible For Paying To Get The Vehicle Fixed?

Most often the person who is responsible for causing the accident to happen in the first place will almost always be liable for the cost of fixing the damage that is suffered by the vehicles. Whether is fixing a small dent, replacing major parts to the car or even replacing the entire vehicle if it considered to be unfixable the at-fault driver will be liable for the market value of the car. Even in “no-fault” states this should end up being the case, as the at-fault driver is liable for the damage that occurred.

Since it is normally required for drivers to carry liability insurance for any registered car their property damage liability coverage will most likely be used in covering the damages that your vehicle sustained. However, if the at-fault driver does not have insurance or if you were the one who was the at-fault driver the process becomes more complicated.

When you are at-fault for an accident or if the other driver does not have insurance and you do not want to pay for the repairs out of pocket you will have to go through your own car insurance to pay for the damage to the vehicles especially when you have collusion coverage. This type of coverage covers any necessary repairs to your vehicle and even replaces it completely if it considered to be unfixable up to the coverage limits you have in place regardless of who is at-fault. You will still be responsible for your deductible which normally starts around $500 but could be more depending on your plan. If the accident is proved to not be your fault you may be able to get that deductible back which is why having a knowledgeable attorney to help guide you through the process is always useful.

This may not be the cheapest way to get things done but it is the quickest way to get your vehicle fixed and back out on the road. The problem with this is that if a claims adjuster decides the damage was not as expensive as you ended up paying you will not be reimbursed the full amount. Also, the other driver may fight the decision on who is at fault which means it can be an even longer wait before you can finally get reimbursed for the repairs.

Hire a Qualified Attorney to Guide You Through This Difficult Process

If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident you will want a knowledgeable attorney who will get you the compensation you deserve and who will do it as quickly as possible. Contact the Paris Law Firm to fight for you in court and get you the justice you deserve. Call us at 909-325-6185 or via our online contact form today to schedule an initial case evaluation.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.