Ka-Boom! You’ve just been in an accident, and to make matters worse, the accident was caused by you. Whether you neglected to see a red light, or were texting while driving, you are the reason for the current collision you’re involved in. What will you do with your wrecked car? Where will you go next? Now you’re probably wondering, “will insurance fix my car if I’m at fault?” We have the answer and information you need to move forward!
⚠️ If It's Broken, Don't Fix It - Get Paid Cash for Your Vehicle ⚠️
Will My Insurance Help Even If I am at Fault For The Accident?
The kind of car insurance you have, will play a vital role in the coverage you receive when you’re involved in an accident that you caused. Let’s examine some of the most common kinds of vehicle insurance and how they come into play with your accident. It’s important to note that vehicle insurance requirements do vary by state. So, you want to check with your specific state regarding at-fault insurance rules and regulations.
Collision Insurance
Should you become involved in an accident, whether you caused it or not, your vehicle collision insurance will step in and work to help pay the costs of repairs. Generally, collision insurance comes with a deductible that allows you to pick the amount that you desire. Typically, the higher the deductible, the lower your vehicle insurance premiums will be.
Comprehensive Insurance
Comprehensive insurance coverage is coverage that will insure you when there is a collision that does not involve another car. For example, if a grocery basket hits your car in an empty parking lot and causes damage to your door, your comprehensive insurance coverage will kick in for the repairs. Comprehensive coverage also covers accidents with animals as well as if your car is damaged in a hailstorm or vandalized.
Bodily Injury Liability
When you’re found to be responsible for an accident, your bodily injury liability coverage will help to cover the costs of the injuries that you, your passengers and the other car accident victims sustained. Bodily injury liability insurance coverage goes far beyond medical expenses. Bodily injury liability can cover lost wages, pain, suffering, legal fees, and if need be funeral expenses.
How Does An Insurance Company Determine Who is At Fault In An Accident?
Before vehicle insurance companies determine who is at fault in an accident, it’s important to note that each state in our union has their own way of assessing fault in accident. In many states, an accident can be fault-based. This means that there is one party that caused the accident. In some states, there is no fault. This means that regardless of who caused the accident, the fault is shared between all involved parties. States such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, Utah, New York, Minnesota, Hawaii, New Jersey and Kansas are states with no-fault insurance. Now that we know that states look at fault in different ways, let’s look at some ways in which a car insurance company may determine fault in an accident.
- Police Reports and Accounts – A police report is a vital document. In this report, the police will offer an objective account of what happened. Even though the police were not there to witness the accident, they have a good idea of what happened, based on their training. Their collection of evidence, interviews and more, can help them piece together the facts from a collision.
- Witnesses – Was there a man who was walking his dog who “saw the whole thing?” Was there a woman who was jogging and saw the accident that you were involved in? Witness accounts are very helpful. You may be able to gather their information and present it to both the police as well as your car insurance company.
- Evidence Collected from The Scene – If you took the time to gather some evidence from the scene of the accident, then your car insurance company will use it to help determine who is at fault. Your insurance company may also collect evidence from the insurance company of the other driver too.
- The Environment – Another factor that will go into the insurance company’s investigation, is the environment in which the accident happened. Was there heavy snowfall at the time? Is the area where the accident happened, a high-density, accident- prone area? Was there construction going on at the time of the accident? All of these factors and more, will be taken into consideration, as your vehicle insurance company works to determine fault.
If I Am Fault, Will My Car Insurance Premiums Go Up?
Most folks think that as soon as they are found at fault for an accident, that the cost of their insurance will go up. Sometimes, this is not the case. The premiums may not go up yet, or may not go up at all. Your car insurance company will examine several factors before making a determination.
Steps To Take After You Caused A Car Accident – Avoid Admitting Fault!
So, you have just been in an accident and you feel that you are the reason for it. Before getting out of the car and saying “sorry” as well as admitting fault, check out these steps below!
- Stay put in your car, and stay calm. Breathe and be sure that you can move your car out of the way of the street. If you cannot, then turn on your vehicle hazard lights, so that other drivers to drive around you and your collision.
- Next, call the police. Let them know that you are OK or you need medical treatment. Try to be as specific as possible, as to where you are. Look for landmarks, so that authorities and the EMS trucks can find you.
- Are you able to take photos of the accident? Then get out and do so. If not, then don’t. Your safety comes first so, if you are not stable or relaxed enough to snap photos, don’t.
- You may find it difficult to do so, but DO NOT ADMIT THAT YOU ARE AT FAULT. Even if the other driver is yelling at you and saying you are at fault, do not admit fault. When the police arrive, just report the facts as you see them. DO NOT state that you are the reason for the accident. Allow police and the car insurance company make their own determination. Regardless of how things look, you NEVER want to admit fault at the scene of an accident.
- Call your insurance company and don’t wait to do so. You should call your insurance company within the 24-hour period that the accident happened.