If you get injured in a car accident, the last thing that you want to think about is probably your car insurance rates. Unfortunately, accidents do usually cause premiums to rise, even if a crash was not completely your fault. If you decide to pursue compensation after getting injured in a collision, a Prince George’s County car accident lawyer can tell you more about what you can expect your insurance company to do.
Will My Insurance Rates Rise After an Accident?
Your insurance rates are likely to rise after an accident. This is because insurers are all about evaluating risk. If you have a lower premium, this is because your insurance company believes that you are not going to cost them much money.
When you get into an accident, your insurance rates rise because now you look like you are more risky to insure. This may seem unfair, especially if the accident was not your fault, but this is just how things go. Fortunately, your rates should not increase by that much if the accident was not your fault or if the crash was a minor one.
Can I Do Anything to Lower My Insurance Rates?
There are also some steps that you can take if you want to try and lower your insurance rates after an accident has caused them to rise. You may be able to:
- Ask about discounts available from your insurer, like multi-policy or student discounts
- Switch to plans with higher deductibles
- Drop certain types of coverage
- Buy a car that is less expensive to insure
- Take a course like defensive driving
Alternatively, you can just wait things out. Your accident should become less and less relevant to car insurance companies over time. After three to five years, it’s going to be less of a factor to potential insurers.
What Can I Do If the Accident Was Someone Else’s Fault?
If the accident was someone else’s fault, you may want to sue them for compensation. Insurance can cover some of the expenses associated with an accident, but sometimes that initial offer from an insurer just is not enough. If you really want to fight for fair compensation, you should talk to one of our personal injury attorneys.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Recover With an Accident Claim?
When you sue for compensation, you want to get an offer that makes up for the economic and non-economic costs of an accident. A fair offer should compensate you for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Loss of enjoyment
- Pain from disability or disfigurement
- Mental anguish
Talk to Our Attorneys Today
So if you were hurt in an accident and you want to sue for damages, contact McCarthy, Winkelman & Mester, L.L.P. as soon as possible. We can schedule a free consultation and tell you more about your legal options. The sooner you act, the faster you can get the compensation that you deserve.
