car accident lawyer when you are at failt

If you are at fault or partially at fault for a car accident and want guidance, a car accident lawyer can handle your case. Acquiring a lawyer can help determine if you were truly at fault and help prevent you from paying an unfair settlement to the other party.

Full Answer

Do I need a lawyer for a car accident?

You may believe car accident lawyers only help people who are innocent victims of car accidents, but there are many ways an attorney can assist you even if you think you’ve caused an accident. It’s always worth discussing the situation with a law firm. Choose one that regularly handles all types of traffic accident cases!

What happens if the other driver is at fault in an accident?

If you are at fault, the other driver may file a personal injury lawsuit after the accident. And the amount of potential damages can be staggering. The simple part is the other person’s medical bills.

What should I do if I'm sued for a car accident?

DO consider contacting an attorney. Think about contacting an experienced personal injury attorney if you've been sued, especially if your insurance company isn't defending the case against you. An experienced attorney will protect your rights and help guide you through the process. DON'T leave the scene of the accident.

What should I not do after a car accident?

DON'T discuss the accident with anyone. After the accident, do not discuss the details with anyone, including the other party's attorney and any insurance company representative (including your own!). Do not apologize to the other party, since this might be construed as evidence of fault.

How do you deal with a car accident that is your fault?

Even if you were fully at fault for a car accident, there are things you should do to protect your rights.Stop and Stay Safe. Stop and make sure you are out of the way of traffic. ... Report the Car Accident. Call the police to report the accident. ... Exchange Information. ... Document the Scene. ... Tell Your Insurance Company.

What happens if it's your fault in a car accident?

What Happens If You Are At Fault In a Car Accident? If you are at fault in a car accident, you will need to pay for the losses of the other driver, and anyone else injured or harmed in the crash. You would be responsible for paying medical bills and other damages.

Can you claim compensation if it was your fault?

Generally, if you are injured as a result of an accident that was your fault you will not be able to make a claim for compensation unless another person or organisation was also partly to blame for the accident.

Who usually decides who was at fault in a car crash?

Insurance company adjusters determine fault in an auto accident after reviewing the police report and other evidence. They may also ask you and the other driver questions about the collision to try to piece together a reliable narrative of what happened.

Should you admit fault in a car accident?

DO NOT ADMIT FAULT! It is extremely important not to admit to any wrongdoing even if you think the accident was your fault. You may be wrong. Or the other driver may be partially to blame under California's “shared fault / pure comparative negligence” law.

Should I call my insurance if it was my fault?

Yes. Regardless of fault, it is important to call your insurance company and report any accident that involved injuries or property damage.

Can I claim whiplash if I was at fault?

Any fault accidents will generally go through the driver's insurance to start a fault accident claim, including whiplash claims when at fault, although it is advised to call your insurance straight away if you feel the accident may have been your fault.

How does a 50/50 claim work?

50% / 50% Liability is reached on a 50/50 basis when both parties agree they are equally responsible for an accident. The overall value of your claim will be worked out as normal (based on your injuries and losses), but you will only receive 50% of this amount from the other side's insurance company.

What happens with a 50/50 claim?

As each party takes equal blame for the accident, both are entitled to claim compensation for any damages and personal injury they may have suffered. How a 50/50 claim works is that when any damages are awarded to either party, you will only receive 50% of the amount awarded as you will be liable for the other 50%.

Who is to blame in an accident How is fault determined?

An insurer may assign a percentage of blame to each party involved in the accident, based on the details of the accident. For example, say a speeding driver rear-ends your car after you suddenly changed lanes. It may be determined that both of you are partially at fault for the accident.

How long does an insurance company have to investigate a claim?

within 30 daysIn general, the insurer must complete an investigation within 30 days of receiving your claim. If they cannot complete their investigation within 30 days, they will need to explain in writing why they need more time. The insurance company will need to send you a case update every 45 days after this initial letter.

Who is in the wrong in a car accident?

In most states, the party at the tail end of the car accident is considered responsible for the accident. Therefore, the majority of fault falls on the driver of the last car involved in the accident.

What to Do After You Think You Caused a Car Crash?

After an accident you may not know what to do next. You may feel dazed or shocked. All you were trying to do was change a lane or merge into traffic, and now you’re dealing with physical and emotional trauma. We’ve been there and we know it is always scary to be involved in a car accident.

What if You Were Only Partially At-Fault For A Car Accident?

An at-fault accident lawyer can help advise you on the best path forward. Both Florida or Georgia, follow models of comparative fault. Damages are awarded by calculating how much each person shares responsibility for the incident.

Getting Protection For An At-Fault Collision Case

Remember, Florida is a No-Fault State. If your car accident was relatively minor, you probably don’t have much to worry about. Each party will turn to their own insurance company to help cover the damages.

You Can Trust our Lawyers For At-Fault Accidents

We live in the real world. We know accidents happen every day and sometimes there’s nothing you could have changed to prevent the accident from occurring. Our dedicated team of at fault accident attorneys is here to seek to provide at-fault drivers with the maximum protection available to you under the law.

What to do after a car accident?

Every decision you make after a car accident is very important. And the first important decision starts with you checking on the health of the other driver after the accident.#N#If there are serious injuries or property damage, you must immediately call “911.” Not only is this your civic duty, but it may paint you in a more positive light when others investigate your case.#N#Once you determine that no serious injuries have occurred, you must share information with the other driver. This includes things like your name, contact information, and insurance details.#N#Don’t forget to report the accident to the local police regardless of whether there were any serious injuries.

What happens after a car accident?

After a car accident, you must file for an insurance claim. The insurance company ultimately decides how much money to pay out. Things become more complicated if you’re at fault. This can not only reduce how much you receive but cause you to pay someone else a whole lot of money. If you’re wondering “what happens if I’m at fault in ...

Why is vehicle liability important?

Vehicle liability is straightforward because it is tied to the amount of damage the other vehicle sustained. If you are at fault, then your insurance carrier is going to have to pay this amount to take care of the other driver’s damages.

What information do you need to share with the other driver?

This includes things like your name, contact information, and insurance details. Don’t forget to report the accident to the local police regardless of whether there were any serious injuries.

What to do if there are witnesses?

If there are any witnesses, get their names and contact information. They may be crucial to your claim with the insurance company. Finally, don’t forget to report the accident to your insurance company. This helps to get the ball rolling on your future paperwork.

Is one driver at fault?

In most accidents involving two drivers, one driver is considered at fault. Before we proceed further, it’s important to explore the notion of fault and whether it applies to you in this instance. The basic concept of fault is pretty simple. It means that one driver is at least mostly responsible for the accident.

Can you take out liability insurance for a lawsuit?

If you are worried about such a lawsuit, you can take out liability insurance to protect yourself against some (or even all) of the amounts owed.

How Do You Prove Fault in a Motor Vehicle Accident Claim?

To prove another driver is to blame for a motor vehicle accident, the plaintiff must prove to the satisfaction of a court that:

Do I Need a Lawyer in a No-Fault Accident Case?

If there are no injuries or they are minor, you may think you don’t need a lawyer in a no-fault accident case. It’s a common misconception that all you have to do is file a claim with your auto insurance company. Then under Michigan’s no-fault insurance laws, medical bills and attendant allowance are paid out.

What Happens if There is Property Damage?

If there was some damage to the other driver’s car, they may pursue the at-fault driver through Michigan mini-tort. This is a fairly inexpensive way of settling small disputes. MCL 500.3135 (3) (c) (e) provides that damages to motor vehicles may be recovered up to a limit of $3,000.

What Do I Do if the Other Driver Files a Lawsuit for Non-Economic Loss?

Under the no-fault insurance law, the accident victim gives up their right to sue the at-fault-driver in return for insurance benefits decided upon by the state. However, the accident victim may be able to sue you for non-economic damages if they have suffered serious injuries in certain circumstances.

Can the Other Driver Claim Economic Losses from Me?

In certain circumstances, the other driver may sue the at-fault driver for excess economic loss compensation. This compensation would cover past, present, and future expenses not covered by PIP benefits through the no-fault insurance law.

Consult a Car Accident Lawyer if You Are At-Fault

Michigan’s law surrounding car accidents is complex and has many factual and procedural traps for the unwary. You should seek legal advice as soon after the accident as possible so that a lawyer well-versed in this practice area can help protect your rights.

What does a car accident lawyer do?

A car accident lawyer can determine what your losses amount to and ensure your rights remain protected. A lawyer can ascertain that you are not paying more than is fair. Your Car Insurance Rates. If you were at fault for a car accident, your car insurance rates may increase when you renew your policy. If you are curious about whether your car ...

What to do if you have evidence of an accident?

If you have evidence such as photographs and documentation of your injuries, hold on to these so you have evidence. You need to tell your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible. If you refrain from doing this, you may miss out on coverage. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ...

How many hospitalizations are caused by car accidents?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), car accidents cause hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations a year. Causing an accident or contributing to one may worry someone about their future and the well-being of those involved. You want to be informed on what happens if you are at fault for a car accident;

What happens if two drivers share fault?

Two drivers would share fault in an accident, if, for example, they are both backing up in a parking lot and hit each other. Your percentage of fault will be determined, and your losses will be calculated. Your percentage of fault will reduce the amount of compensation you may receive. A car accident lawyer can determine what your losses amount ...

Why is it important to report an accident to the police?

Accidents happen, and it is important to hold yourself accountable for your wrongdoing as you would hope someone else would if they were at fault. You and the other driver or drivers should report the accident to the police so they can file a report. Drivers need to exchange names, insurance information, phone numbers, and license plate numbers.

What happens if you take someone to court for more than you can pay?

If an injured driver takes you to court for more compensation than your policy can pay for, you may personally be responsible for their compensation. If the other driver suffered serious injuries or there were fatalities, you may face a lawsuit.

Can you claim damages out of pocket on your car insurance?

You may not have to pay for anyone’s damages out-of-pocket unless the costs sur pass your car insurance policy limits.

Do I Really Need a Lawyer?

Oftentimes, people believe that auto accident attorneys only help innocent victims after accidents. However, there are many ways for an attorney to assist someone after a car accident. This is true even when people believe they caused the collision.

What to Do When You Are At-Fault for a Car Accident

When you believe (or know for sure) that you caused a collision, it’s important to remain calm. There are crucial steps to take after an accident regardless of fault. Stay focused and be sure to do and avoid the right actions.

Partial Fault for a Car Accident

While you might be at fault for a car accident, it’s possible to share fault with other drivers. This is one of the main reasons to work with a car accident lawyer. When you have representation, they can gauge your potential for financial recovery.

At Fault for a Car Accident? Learn More About Your Options

Any vehicle collision is cause for stress. Often, they leave people shaken up. When you believe you are at fault for a car accident, it only amplifies the worry and stress. Still, it is crucial to seek out legal support to ensure you understand your rights.

Why do at fault drivers hire an attorney?

An at-fault driver will want to hire an attorney to minimize his or her liability and potentially prove the plaintiff’s fault in the matter.

What happens when a plaintiff faces multiple defendants in a lawsuit?

When a plaintiff faces multiple defendants in a lawsuit, the comparative negligence statute will still apply ; the plaintiff’s fault percentage may not exceed the combined fault of the defendants. If the jury deems one defendant 25% at fault and the other 25% at fault, then the plaintiff’s fault would not exceed their combined fault and ...

Can a lawyer subpoena a traffic camera?

For example, if a traffic camera recorded the intersection where an accident occurred, your attorney could subpoena the traffic camera footage for use in the trial. Your attorney will likely also interview any witnesses who saw the crash and help corroborate your version of events.

Can you determine fault immediately after an accident?

A car accident can happen extremely quickly, and it may be difficult to determine fault immediately after an accident. If a driver suffers severe injuries and requires ambulance transportation, it is unlikely he or she will be able to secure any evidence immediately after the crash, such as the other drivers’ contact information ...

What to do if you are in a car accident?

If this is a car accident, be sure to get the other party's insurance information and license plate number as well. If there are any witnesses, be sure to get their contact information as well. DO take photographs. Take pictures of any damage caused by the accident, as well as any injuries, if possible.

What to do if a vehicle is involved in an accident?

If a vehicle is involved, only move it if it is creating a safety hazard or you are required to do so by law. DON'T throw away or hide any evidence. Anything that may be relevant to the accident or injury must be preserved. DON'T discuss the accident with anyone.

What to do if you don't have an attorney?

If you have an attorney, don't speak with an insurance company representative—either yours or that of the other party. Let the attorney handle it. If you don't have an attorney, be very careful what you say. Get tips for the first call with an insurance adjuster after an accident.

What to do if you suspect you are injured?

If you suspect that you are injured as well, seek immediate medical treatment , not only to protect your health, but also to protect any claim you might have against others involved in the accident, or any insurance claim you might end up filing over the incident. DO report the injury to your insurance company.