According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 11 million car accidents happen in the United States every year. For some, these accidents result in nothing more than a few scratches and a powerful shock to the system. For 2.24 million people, as statistics from the Department of Transportation show, serious injury results, forever changing their lives.
If you have been in an auto accident and you are found at fault, then there are considerable costs you will have to worry about, regardless of whether you are brought to court for an auto accident injury claim.
How is Fault Assigned in an Auto Accident?
According to Esurance, fault is assigned differently in different parts of the country. Some states assign blame in percentages. Others assign blame in a way that is referred to as pure contributory negligence, meaning if you are only 5% at fault for the accident, then you will receive no compensation.
Regardless of the fault laws around car accident compensation, there are two main ways to establish fault in an auto accident. Most importantly, if you admit guilt at the accident scene, then there is a very high chance that you will be found at fault. Next, any evidence gathered at the scene of the accident will be used to establish blame. If it is found that you are to blame for the accident, then there are serious costs you will have to consider, whether you have to deal with car accidents lawyers or not.
What Are the Costs for At-fault Drivers
- Auto Repair Costs
- Pain and Suffering
- Inflated Insurance Rates
According to NOLO, if you are found at fault for an auto accident, then you are responsible for paying not only your automobile costs but those for the other party. These costs include repairs, replacement, rental car costs, towing costs, and a possible settlement for the amount of value deducted from the other party’s vehicle as a result of the accident.
In the case of an auto accident injury claim, according to DMV.org, if you are found at fault in your accident, you will be expected and possibly compelled by law to make the other party “whole”. This can mean paying for medical bills, prescriptions, lost wages, and more. If the other party is injured to the point that they are permanently unable to work, then your auto accident injury claim settlement may include paying for future loss of earnings, according to LegalMatch.com.
If you are so lucky to be at-fault in an auto accident and not have to worry about paying any auto accident injury claims, you may still have to pay for inflated insurance rates. As Esurance points out, just because you are found at-fault in an accident doesn’t mean your insurance rates will automatically rise. Your driving record and the particular factors in your accident will be reviewed before deciding if your rates will rise.
If you’ve been in an auto accident and are found at fault, then you will have to face the consequences. In an auto accident injury claim that can include vehicle repair costs, lost wages, and more. If you are in this situation, then be sure to contact an auto accident law firm who can help you to better navigate the legal waters. Good refereneces.