When you are in a car crash resulting from the negligence of another motorist, your concern would be to heal speedily and get compensation. The at-fault driver’s insurance company would review your claim, check the evidence, and pay your settlement if your claim is valid.
However, when the at-fault driver happens to drive a stolen car, this process becomes a lot more complicated. This article would then enlighten you on the necessary steps you should take after colliding with a stolen vehicle.
In a personal injury claim, you can get compensation for your loss of earnings, medical bills, pain and suffering, etc. To get a reasonable settlement after an accident involving a stolen vehicle, you need a skilled Ohio car accident lawyer in your corner.
Who Is Liable in a Stolen Vehicle Crash?
After a stolen vehicle crash, it is crucial to find out who would be held responsible for your losses. This individual is going to be in charge of paying compensation for all your damages.
In crashes involving stolen vehicles, two main parties are responsible for paying the damages for the injured party or parties.
The Driver
The driver is the individual that was driving the stolen vehicle at the time the accident happened. Such a driver has a high possibility of being the at-fault driver in the accident. Because of this, the driver would be liable for paying for your damages and losses.
Note that you can only seek compensation from the driver if they stay at the crash scene. If it is a hit-and-run, you cannot hold the driver accountable until the authorities catch them.
The Owner
The owner of the stolen vehicle becomes liable if you can provide enough evidence that their negligence caused the car’s theft. For example, if the driver did not take the necessary precautions to prevent the vehicle from being stolen, they could be held responsible. However, this is usually rare.
Things To Do After an Accident Involving a Stolen Vehicle
Taking the following steps after getting involved in a car crash with a stolen car is vital. These four steps could impact the result of your claim.
- Report the Accident to the Police
After getting involved in an accident with a stolen vehicle, you need to get the police involved. This is because the police would carry out investigations to determine the car’s details and its theft. They would also find out the driver of the vehicle and the owner. This becomes even more important if it was a hit-and-run accident.
- Seek Medical Attention
After an accident, you need to go to the hospital for a proper medical examination. This examination would reveal all possible injuries resulting from the accident. Also, if there are hidden injuries, the medical personnel would be able to diagnose them. Going to the hospital would ensure you start treatment as soon as possible.
- Contact Your Insurance Company
It is essential to contact your insurance company after an accident with a stolen vehicle because you might need to seek compensation from your insurance company. In most cases, the owner of the stolen vehicle cannot be liable for the car, making it difficult for you to get compensation.
The individual that stole the vehicle may also not be financially capable of paying for your damages. Because of the above reasons, you may have to rely on your underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage. The uninsured motorist coverage pays for your medical bills and damages to your car.
- File a Claim
If you want to file a personal injury claim against the stolen vehicle you got into a crash with, you need to contact your attorney. Because no two accidents are the same, your personal injury attorney will study the peculiarities of your claim and ensure you get a fair settlement.
In filing your claim, if you can prove that the owner of the stolen vehicle was negligent, you might have an advantage in court. Your attorney has the responsibility of providing enough proof of this.
Contact an Ohio Car Accident Attorney Today!
When you find yourself in a car accident involving a stolen car, it can be devastating and confusing. An Ohio car accident lawyer understands how you feel and we would help you through the process. Our law firm has outstanding success in our cases.
We advise our clients on the appropriate and necessary steps that would be advantageous to your lawsuit. With us, you do not need to pay any upfront fees before we review your case. So, contact us today, and an expert auto accident lawyer would get started on your compensation claim immediately.
