subject: Questioning Your Rights After A Car Accident? Get Answers Here [print this page] What you do after you are involved in a car accident is important but what you do in preparation is just as important. Here are some frequently asked questions about car accidents and their answers.
If I am in a car accident will I need to hire an attorney?
Under all circumstances hiring an attorney is a good idea if you can afford to do so. Having your own personal injury attorney to look over legal proceedings, insurance filings, and other aspects of your case is always a good idea also. This will ensure that your interests are always being properly represented.
Is there a chance I could lose my license if I am at fault in a car accident?
If you are involved in a simple fender-bender there is probably not much chance that your license will be in jeopardy. However with that said, it will depend on the specific circumstances surrounding the accident. A DUI arrest following an accident could put your license in jeopardy and shift a great deal of the liability for damages to you as well.
Will my insurance policy be canceled if I am in a car accident?
It is not a guarantee because you were involved in an accident your insurance policy will be canceled, but you could experience an increase in rates if the accident makes you a greater risk to the insurance company. Some states prevent the cancellation of auto insurance polices due solely to an accident if you are not determined to be a greater risk.
Who pays for damages if I am sued and lose the lawsuit?
That depends on the level of insurance coverage you had at the time of the car accident. Your insurance policy has limits and you should be aware of what they are. The state in which you drive requires only minimums, but if the accident requires the settlement of damages greater then the limits of your policy you may have to pay for them. It is best to carry more then just the legal limits of coverage if you want to minimize the change of paying out-of-pocket expenses.
