Who Pays for Vehicle Damage After a Car Accident?

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, who will be responsible for paying for the vehicle damage? The answer to this question depends largely on the circumstances of the accident and the insurance coverage each driver has (or does not have).

When another driver causes the accident

If another driver was at fault for the accident, in most cases that driver’s insurance policy will cover the costs of the repairs. However, if they do not have insurance, your insurance company may be the one to pay to repair your damage, so long as you have collision coverage on your vehicle.

If you do not have collision coverage, you can still attempt to get the other driver to pay. This can be a difficult prospect, though, as drivers who do not have car insurance are unlikely to have the lump sums of cash sitting around that are necessary to make the repairs to your vehicle.

If you caused the accident

If you were the one at fault for the accident, then it is your insurance provider that will cover the repairs, so long as you have sufficient collision coverage. Collision coverage is no-fault, so your insurance company will not deny your claim. You will, however, need to pay your deductible for that coverage to kick in.

If you were at fault for the accident and do not have insurance, though, you will be forced to pay for the repairs to your vehicle out of your own pocket.

For more information about how insurance claims work after accidents, contact an experienced auto accident lawyer at Jakubowski, Robertson, Maffei, Goldsmith & Tartaglia, LLP.