Should I be Worried if I Was in an Accident That Was Not My Fault?

You may think you have nothing to worry about if you were not at fault in a crash, but you should still take certain precautions.

California follows tort law in the event that there is an accident between two people. The law allows accident victims to file a claim against the at-fault driver that caused the crash resulting in injuries. To do this, injured individuals must prove the other driver’s negligent actions caused the accident. Many people think if they were not at fault for the crash, they have nothing to worry about, but that is not true. If you have been hurt in a collision that was not your fault, below are a few concerns you should still consider.

Your Own Insurance Issues

Even though you will file a claim against the negligent party’s insurance company to recover compensation, you should still notify your own insurer. Most insurance policies require you to provide the insurer with this notice after an accident. The insurance company wants to know about any crash because there is a chance the at-fault party may contact them.

If you do not notify your own insurance company about the accident, they may find you in breach of your contract. When they are successful, you will lose the policy and it could make it more difficult to secure insurance in the future.

A Potential Lawsuit

You may know that you did not cause the crash, but California law requires you to prove it. When filing a claim against the negligent party, they may argue that you were partly at fault for the accident. Under the state’s comparative fault laws, your damages will be greatly reduced if they are successful with that argument. You may not receive the full amount of compensation you need and when that is the case, you also cannot go back and ask for more.

The defense of the negligent party may also start before you even file a claim. The at-fault driver may file a claim against your insurance company, simply to shield them from paying the damages you deserve. If they do file a lawsuit, they will have to prove that you are at fault. If they are successful, you are then liable for paying damages even though you did not cause the crash.

Our Murrieta Car Accidents Lawyers can Represent You After a Crash

Unfortunately, it is true that you still have many concerns after a car accident that was not your fault. This is why it is so important to contact a Murrieta car accident lawyer even if you did not cause the collision. At Gibbs & Fuerst, LLP, our skilled attorneys can refute claims of fault from other motorists and prove that someone else was to blame. We are committed to helping our clients recover the full amount of compensation they deserve, and we will put our experience to work for you. Contact us today at 951-816-3435 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.