At-Fault Accidents: Legal Options When It’s Your Fault
Every year, more than 6 million accidents happen on roads in the United States. No matter where the accidents happen, someone will be responsible for causing it.
Though your insurance company can help cover the cost of any damages caused by the accident, it’s harder for drivers dealing with at-fault accidents. The people responsible for causing the accident are the ones that bear the higher insurance premiums and often have to pay for damages out of pocket.
If you’re wondering what you can do to reduce the severity of those damages, you’re not alone. There are legal options that can help you minimize the impact the accident will have on your finances. Here’s what you need to know.
Never Accept Blame
Just because an accident was your fault doesn’t mean that you need to accept the blame. In fact, doing so can end up making it almost impossible to pursue legal options for at-fault accidents.
At the scene, avoid apologizing to the other driver. Be calm and courteous, but never let them know that you think you’re responsible. If the police arrive, explain the situation to the police by giving them nothing but the facts.
Remember, fault is subjective. It’s not a fact and you shouldn’t imply that you’re to blame at any time.
When you call your insurance company, let them know what happened. Stick to the facts and avoid accepting fault or making statements like, “the car accident was my fault.” Even one documented admission of fault can make you lose your legal battle before it begins.
Call Your Attorney As Soon as Possible
According to the legal experts at Rebein Brothers, many drivers think they can get out of an at-fault accident claim on their own. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case.
You need to contact an experienced car accident attorney to review your case and argue on your behalf. They’ll be able to represent your interests with the other parties involved to reduce or eliminate the settlement you’re forced to pay out to the other driver.
If you go to court, they’ll be better equipped to show how fault for the accident isn’t easily proven. Remember, the more doubt they can cast on who caused the accident, the better off you’ll be.
This is especially important if the other driver suffered injuries as a result of the accident. An attorney will be able to work on your behalf to help you lower the settlement amount you’re forced to pay beyond what your insurance company covers.
At-Fault Accidents Aren’t the End of the World
Car accidents happen every day and, no matter where the accident happened, someone will be responsible for causing it. If you find yourself dealing with the aftermath of at-fault accidents, don’t try to navigate the process on your own.
Work with an experienced attorney and let them guide you through the claims and settlement process. If they think there’s a chance that the other driver may bear some of the blame, they’ll be able to craft a defense for your case.
Once the claim and any lawsuits get settled, you’ll need to focus on getting your life back to normal. Check out our latest posts for more tips to help you better recover from at-fault car accidents.
