Can Vehicle Repairs Be Included in a Car Accident Claim?
Being in a car accident can be devastating. Not only are you now dealing with a variety of painful injuries, but you are also dealing with a car that needs multiple repairs. If your household relies on one vehicle only, this can be especially frustrating. When it comes to personal injury claims involving car accidents and other vehicles, are vehicle repairs included? We will explore this below!
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What Are Common Car Accidents?
Stats of California car accidents show there were over 216,366 traffic accidents in 2022 alone. Of these accidents, there were over 165,978 injuries. Between the years 2020 and 2021, the state also saw an increase of alcohol-impaired driving by 16%.
Car accidents happen everyday and leave many drivers feeling vulnerable. There are some car accidents that are more common than others. These include:
- T-bone collisions (also known as broadside collisions)
While we expect other drivers to take the same precautions we do on the road, this is not always the case. Many minor and major car accidents occur daily, leaving innocent drivers with injuries and damages to their vehicles.
Why Do Car Accidents Occur?
Many car accidents can occur due to the negligence of one driver. While it is the law to practice safe and responsible driving, there can be many instances where drivers choose to neglect or be reckless while on the road. Some of the most common reasons why car accidents occur are:
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Distracted driving i.e. texting while driving, fiddling with the radio while driving, and looking in another direction
- Failure to yield or practice the proper driving maneuvers
- Impaired driving (driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs)
If you were involved in a car accident that left you with painful injuries and a damaged vehicle, you should not be left to pay for the repairs and medical treatment out of your own pocket. Especially if the other driver involved caused the accident due to negligence or recklessness.
Talking with a personal injury lawyer can help to determine how your claim can develop. From there, you may be able to file a personal injury claim with an insurance company or directly against the other driver.
Can I Include Vehicle Repairs in My Car Accident Claim?
If you are seeking compensation through a personal injury claim, you may be entitled to obtain it to cover various expenses resulting from the accident.
If your vehicle will be going through repairs from a car accident caused by another party, you can pursue compensation for vehicle repairs. California is an at-fault state for car accidents, which means the party who caused the wreck is responsible for paying for the other driver’s losses. This includes vehicle repairs.
What Are My Options for Vehicle Repairs?
Car repairs can take a while. When you need vehicle repairs from a car accident, what can you do? Luckily, there are a few routes you can take to ensure your car is properly assessed and repaired. Some of your options for vehicle repairs are:
- You can file a claim with the other driver’s insurance. This will often include telling your side of the accident. Insurance companies try to pay as little as possible for any repairs or damages, however. It can be a lengthy process, and an insurance company can deny your claim as well.
- Filing a claim with your own insurer for collision coverage. This is usually done if your vehicle needs repairs quickly. You can go through your own insurance and then seek compensation in the meantime after.
Because having transportation is very important for a number of households, being without a car isn’t ideal. If your vehicle is deemed “a total loss” this means the repair of the vehicle is higher than its value. If this is the case, an insurance company may just pay you out for the vehicle.
When it comes to vehicle repairs, you want to make sure you are not being underpaid. You do not want to pay for repairs out of your own pocket if the accident was not at all your fault. This is where a personal injury attorney can help.
How Do I Prove the Damages on My Vehicle?
If you are going through insurance or filing a lawsuit directly against the other liable driver, how can you prove vehicle damages?
- Photos and videos provide an in-depth look of your vehicle and the scene of the accident. Photos and videos can also provide context to the accident.
- Getting the contact information of any witnesses at the scene can also allow you to have unbiased insight into the accident.
- A much less practiced way to record evidence of the scene is to write it down. This means recording where and when the accident occurred, the direction the vehicles were driving in, vehicle speed, weather and traffic conditions, etc. This can help if you are dealing with the other driver’s insurance company.
Proving damages of a vehicle is not difficult. At the scene of the accident, you must remember to keep a clear head and take photos. While emotions may run high at the moment, or you may have to move out of the scene of the collision for safety reasons, you can always take photos of the vehicle or head back to the road for a video when conditions are safer.
What Other Damages Can I Receive?
If you are filing a personal injury claim due to a car accident, compensation can cover various losses. You may receive financial compensation for:
- Vehicle repairs
- Medical treatments
- Loss of income from being unable to work
- Transportation (i.e. having to use a rental while your car is being repaired)
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Decreased quality of life due to injury
This is just a fraction of the damages a person filing a personal injury claim can receive. There are many factors taken into consideration to determine compensation, including extent of the injuries suffered, future expenses that may come into play, and more. Every case is unique, so talking with a car accident attorney can help you determine possible compensation for your case!
Can A Personal Injury Attorney Help Me?
Car accidents can impact innocent drivers when they least expect it. Whether through a painful injury or damages to your vehicle, you may be entitled to compensation. By building a strong case using the right supporting evidence, you may be able to get financial support from the liable party.
Are you dealing with the insurance company of the other driver and are unsure what to do? Has your insurance claim been denied? Is your own insurance company giving you a difficult time even with your coverage plan? Are you filing a lawsuit directly against the driver or their insurance company?
Whatever the case may be, a personal injury attorney can help. Vehicle repairs can and should be included in a car accident claim. This is especially true if the repairs will be expensive and costly. Pay a visit to one of our San Diego personal injury attorneys today to learn more about filing your car accident claim.
