Introduction
Not many people are aware of the number of car accident claims that can be filed when it is found that the at-fault driver caused an accident. Many people often believe that only certain cases qualify for filing a claim with the insurance company or law enforcement reporting. However, there are other legal ways to seek restitution when someone else is to blame for a car crash near you. This article aims to provide insight on how to file a car accident claim when you are at fault.
Who Qualifies?
It applies to all citizens in the United States and even some international travelers who use our roads. In most cases, the law will allow an opportunity for compensation from other drivers on the road if they are found at fault for causing an accident. These claims come with strict rules that must be followed to file a claim. These include the following:
1. There should be a valid reason to believe that the other driver was at fault. It is validated by a police report or witness statements. The accident must also have been caused by an action of the driver, such as speeding or reckless driving.
2. In most cases, you need to contact reliable car accident lawyers who specialize in personal injury claims to represent you and file the claim. There are times when insurance companies will allow you to file a claim yourself, but it is generally considered costly and challenging without legal representation.
3. There are no age restrictions, but a lawyer must handle the claim. It is so because the insurance company will use every technicality to deny your claim. Should you try to run the claim yourself, it may prove not very helpful and will take a long time to be settled.
4. Your attorney will initiate contact with the other driver’s attorney to file a claim for compensation for your damages and injury during the accident. In most cases, your lawyer will also seek additional payment if there is evidence of negligence on the other party or their legal representative during the settlement process or post-settlement negotiations.
Objections that May Prevent You from Filing a Claim
1. The person at fault was not insured at the time of the accident. To avoid this pitfall, ensure that the other driver is insured in case of any eventuality. You can get proof of insurance by asking for their documentation number to verify online.
2. The accident was not caused by negligent driving behavior. It is common in cases where the other party was hit by another vehicle or had a medical condition that forced them to stop abruptly. In these cases, you have to prove that there was negligence on the other party’s part, which caused them to make an unexpected stop.
3. You were not the one present when the accident happened. It is also important to note that vehicle defects are not in question as long as you can prove that it was the car’s fault that caused the accident.
The laws governing the filing of car accident claims when you are at fault are straightforward and can be mastered with the help of a personal injury lawyer. Ensure that you follow the guidelines mentioned above when filing to make the process as seamless as possible. If great professional car accident lawyers are hired, they will handle most of the process while asking you important questions regarding the accident to help build your case against the other party.
