On any given day in America, there are
roughly 253 million cars and trucks on roadways across America. With so many
vehicles carrying families on vacation, children to athletic activities, and
adults to work, accidents are inevitable. All it takes is a split second
and you could find yourself involved in an auto accident. When you're involved
in a crash, your vehicle can suffer damage ranging from minor dents and
scratches to major body work. What happens if you aren't insured or the
responsible party is not ensured? You might need an auto accident attorney.
Staggering
Truth
According to the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA), as cited by USAToday.com, auto accidents cost Americans
$871 billion each year. That is equivalent to $900 for every individual living
in the US. This figure takes into account not only the costs you face to repair
your vehicle, but also the lost income you face dealing with body work and
other issues stemming from the accident.
Your
Responsibilities
How much money you are required to
spending covering the cost of body work following an accident depends on who is
assigned fault in the accident. In almost all crashes, one driver is at fault
to a greater extent than another. Examples include rear-end collisions and
left-turn collisions. In each case, the individual striking the other car
either from behind or as the left-turn vehicle is at fault. As such, their
insurance companies are responsible for covering the costs of body work to
repair a vehicle. If you are the responsible party, your insurance will cover
the cost of repairs, but your repairs will likely require satisfying a
deductible amount before you receive benefits.
Accidents
without Insurance
Each state in the US has a minimum
insurance requirement for drivers, though specific minimums can vary from one
state to another. Accidents where one or both parties lack insurance result in
skyrocketing body repair costs for both sides. If you have insurance but are
struck by an uninsured party, you may find yourself responsible for covering
the cost of auto body repairs. In this instance, it is helpful to seek the
counsel of an auto accident attorney.
Working
with an Auto Accident Attorney
If your insurance provider does not offer
coverage in the event of an accident involving an at-fault driver with no
insurance, you're left holding the bag financially. You face the prospect of
covering the full cost of body repairs for your vehicle. Working with an auto
accident attorney can help you receive the compensation you deserve.
In some cases, drivers are denied full
compensation for claims from insurance companies looking to settle issues
quickly. If you're insurance provider fails to fully compensate you following
an accident, an attorney can help achieve a settlement that is fair and
provides compensation that helps you avoid financial ruin.
Auto accidents are traumatic enough to
begin with. The last thing you need is the stress of covering body repair costs
when an insurance provider has failed to meet its responsibilities under the
terms of a policy. If you've been shorted on a claim, contact an auto accident
attorney today.
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