Who Pays For Car Accident-Related Property Damage?
Even those who are lucky enough to escape a car accident without sustaining an injury, will most likely have suffered some kind of property damage. This can leave car accident victims concerned about who will pay for the repair or replacement of their vehicle. There are actually a few different ways to go about seeking reimbursement for these kinds of losses, so if you were involved in a car crash and have questions about paying for repairs, you should consider contacting an experienced Fort Lauderdale auto accident lawyer who can evaluate your case and advise you accordingly.
Collision Coverage
One of the ways that car accident victims can recover compensation for the cost of repairing or replacing their vehicle is to file a claim with their collision coverage insurance providers. After paying the deductible on the policy, the claimant should then receive compensation for repair or replacement of the damaged vehicle. If it is determined that the other driver was at fault for the accident, then the claimant’s insurer will contact the other driver’s insurer, seeking reimbursement, as well as the deductible paid by the claimant. This is one of the fastest and simplest ways to go about obtaining reimbursement for repair costs, vehicle replacement, and rental car expenses. It is not, however, always an option, as drivers are not required to carry this type of coverage in Florida.
Property Damage Coverage
Car accident victims also have the option of going through the insurance of the at-fault driver who caused their accident. Florida law actually requires that all drivers carry at least $10,000 in property damage coverage specifically for this reason. Claimants who go this route should be prepared to make arrangements for an assessment of the damage to the vehicle and should also be sure to have copies of the accident report to provide to the insurer. The at-fault driver’s insurer will ultimately be responsible for paying for the repairs to the other driver’s vehicle, unless the total exceeds the fair market value of the vehicle. In these cases, the insurance company will be obligated to pay the claimant a total loss settlement, or an amount totaling the fair market value of the vehicle at the time of the crash. While this can be a more difficult endeavor than going through one’s own insurance, it could be a person’s only option if he or she doesn’t have collision coverage.
Set Up a Free Case Review Today
Obtaining reimbursement for vehicle repair costs after an accident isn’t always easy, even when one driver was clearly at fault for the crash. It is, for instance, not uncommon for insurers to attempt to avoid paying out a claim by denying liability. Having an attorney on your side can make all the difference to the outcome of this type of case. To learn more, please call 954-566-9919 and speak with a member of our legal team about scheduling a meeting with one of the dedicated auto accident lawyers at Boone & Davis.
Resource:
flhsmv.gov/insurance/involved-in-a-crash/
