Being involved in a car accident is never fun. In addition to the potential emotional and physical damages you can sustain from the wreck itself, you’ve also got to worry about getting your car back in working order so you can continue about your everyday life.
While the specifics may vary from state to state (and depend on who’s at fault for the crash), you’ve usually got more than one possible outcome after you experience an accident. Today, we’ll explore some of the common avenues of pursuit and what you should know about getting your car fixed following a collision.
Insurance Generally Covers The Costs Of Car Repairs
By and large, if you’ve been involved in an auto accident and need repairs for your vehicle, an insurance company is who you will turn to in order to get at least some of the funds for those repairs.
Which insurance company you’ll be dealing with will depend in part on liability (who is at fault for the accident) and whether you’re in a “traditional fault” or “no fault” state.
There are a few ways this might play out. In traditional fault states, if you can prove the other driver was negligent or they accept fault for the accident, you’ll typically be able to get that driver or their insurance to pay a standard amount for damages.
The upside here is that you won’t usually need to come out of pocket for any costs, but the downside is that it can take a considerable amount of time (sometimes weeks) and that’s time you’ll be stuck without your car in working order.
In no fault states, however, your own insurer will typically cover damages. This is more expedient, obviously, but will also require you to pay a deductible (and, in some situations, your own rental car fees while your vehicle is getting repaired). You might be able to get your deductible repaid, should the other party’s insurance company reimburse yours, but this is not always the case.
And what of scenarios when the other driver is at fault but doesn’t have insurance? It’s not an enviable circumstance by any means, but in these situations, you may be protected by your own policy’s uninsured motorist coverage. There’s still a chance, though, that you’ll have to come out of pocket to pay a deductible.
Finally, though more rare, there are also instances where you may need to get an attorney involved to help you get damages paid for in the event of an auto accident. In such circumstances, it’s best to go with a skilled attorney, and make sure to follow their advice to ensure the best possible outcome for your case.
