In insurance terminology, an accident is an event that is not planned or deliberately caused, something that cannot be expected or predicted. When referring to car accidents specifically, this means that if you decide to drive your car into a tree on purpose, it would not be considered an accident and would not be covered by your insurance. By the same token, insurance policies will not pay for items that become old or suffer wear and tear because this is just the expected result of the passage of time.
What Is An Accident?
A car accident can cause any of the following three outcomes, or a combination of any of them:
- Injury or loss
- A decrease in value of the resources, or
- An increase in liabilities
Are Accident And Collision The Same Thing?
When it comes to filing a claim with your insurance company, it becomes important to define what just happened the correct way. By describing what happened as an accident, the implication may be that it was, therefore, nobody’s fault, it was something that just happened.
However, if the collision happens and it becomes quite clear that the person who caused it violated the motor vehicle safety laws, they are guilty due to careless, negligent conduct. Never refer to the person who caused your loss and injuries as having committed a simple mistake. Nor talk about what happened about a simple accident. The law requires that legal liability is established on the basis of fault, defined as negligence.
If you or your loved one has been injured due to someone’s careless, negligent behavior, act quickly to protect your claim.
Can A Car Crash Land You In Jail?
Most auto accidents do not result in criminal charges. They are minor and tend to be resolved through insurance companies. However, there are certain circumstances that may call for a criminal charge. Alcohol-related traffic deaths account for nearly 30% of all traffic fatalities in California. That’s why causing an accident while under the influence of drugs or alcohol can land you in jail.
However, if you are involved in a car crash while intoxicated, do not think it might be a good idea to flee the scene. As a driver involved in an accident, regardless of if you were under the influence, you could face criminal charges for failing to follow the rules of the road in California.
How Can You Settle A Car Crash Claim?
Most claims related to car crashes are resolved without going to trial. People involved in this type of incident tend to settle before going to court because a favorable outcome isn’t necessarily guaranteed in a jury trial.
Through an insurance claim you can recover damages for medical expenses, loss of income and pain and suffering that resulted from the car crash.
Talk to a personal injury attorney in California to learn the strength of your claim and the amount of compensation available for your case.
Should You Hire An Attorney Or Handle The Claim Yourself?
Car insurance companies will usually offer a low-ball settlement shortly after receiving your claim. Once you’ve hired a car accident attorney, however, the insurance company will likely understand the attorney won’t sign off on a fast, low-ball deal. Call the Law Offices of Timothy J. Ryan & Associates and make an appointment for a free consultation today.
