Getting involved in a car accident is stressful. Being the at-fault party in an accident is enough to cause anxiety. However, feeling anxious after an accident that you are at fault is normal. Yes, accidents occur, and when you are at fault, you must be accountable.
Immediately after an accident, the first thing to do is call the police to file a report. Then, if any of the parties are injured, they are to seek immediate medical attention. You also exchange personal information like address, phone number, and license plate number with the other party.
You can also take photographs of the cars and scenes of the accident as evidence. It would help if you informed your insurer after an accident to ensure you don’t miss out on your compensation. Also, it is essential that you understand what is expected of you when you are at fault in a car accident. If you find yourself in a motor vehicle accident, our auto accident attorneys can offer you legal advice and represent you.
What Are Fault and No-Fault States?
If you are in a no-fault state, each driver’s insurer takes care of liabilities from the accident. If you are in a fault state, the person at fault in a car accident bears the liabilities. Ohio is an at-fault state. Therefore, if you are at fault in a car accident, you will pay the other parties’ liabilities.
What Liabilities Do You Have as a Fault Party?
Having insurance to cover auto insurance coverage when you are at fault in a car accident is helpful. But, unfortunately, your insurance coverage may not be enough for all liabilities. If it isn’t, you may have to pay out of pocket. Also, if a victim takes you to court for other losses that your policy does not cover, you may have to pay out of pocket.
In cases where the other driver suffered severe injuries, you may get a lawsuit. However, your insurance company might agree on a settlement with the victim’s insurer. When that happens, you will not need to go to court.
The losses that the victims of a car accident cover are:
- Medical bills and other costs for treatment
- Lost income
- Loss of capacity to earn
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Prescription medication
What Happens to My Vehicle if I’m at Fault in a Car Accident?
Your insurer will pay for the damages to the other driver’s vehicle. However, you might be wondering what happens to your car. If you have collision coverage, it may cover for your car damages in a car accident that you’re at fault for.
Also, you will pay for your deductible. Your deductible is essentially an amount you pay before the policy starts paying your damages. So, for instance, if your deductible is $500 and your car damage is $1500, your insurer pays the balance after you’ve paid the deductible.
What Happens in a Partial Fault Car Accident?
In some car accidents, there is more than one party at fault. So if the responsibility is yours partially in a car accident, here’s what happens:
- The percentage of fault gets noted, and damages get calculated accordingly.
- The percentage of your fault determines the damages you pay.
- Depending on the state you’re living in, you may not recover any damages if your percentage is 50% or more. Under the Ohio comparative negligence rule, you recover damages as reduced by your percentage of negligence.
You need an excellent attorney to help you determine your fault ratio and ensure you are paying what is fair.
What Happens to Your Car Insurance After Being in an At-Fault Accident?
Aside from the damages, you may pay the other driver involved in an at-fault accident; you incur other financial losses.
Reduced No Claims Discount (RCD):
If it’s your fault that an accident happens, you may lose all your reduced no-claims discount because your insurer cannot recover its costs. In addition, you may not have a reduced no-claims discount if you paid a fee to get protected when you took the policy.
No Policy Excess:
The policy excess is the element of a claim that you keep for yourself. Unfortunately, you don’t get this when you are the at-fault party.
Premium Increase:
Some insurers may increase your premium after you’ve been in an accident that was your fault. The high premium may be because they consider you at a higher risk.
Get an Attorney Today!
Car accidents can be stressful and traumatic irrespective of who’s at Fault. Unfortunately, you will have to pay for damages as an at-fault party. Our Ohio auto accident lawyers can help you arrive at a fair settlement. Contact us today to schedule a free case review with one of our attorneys.