If you get into a car accident, that is probably going to affect your insurance rates in the future. How much an accident can affect your rates and what kind of increases you can expect to see when your policy renews can depend on a few different factors though. A New York car accident lawyer from our firm can answer some of your questions while we help you fight for the compensation that you deserve.
Will a Car Accident Always Raise Insurance Rates?
Unfortunately, if your insurance company thinks that you are even slightly at fault for the accident happening, you’re probably going to see a rise in your insurance rates. This is because insurers do not just randomly decide what to charge you for insurance. They evaluate risk. If you have not been in an accident in a long time, you are a lower risk to insure. If you have recently been in an accident, you are more of a risk and they are going to raise your insurance rates.
What Factors Affect My Insurance Rates?
Getting in an accident is not the only thing that can affect your insurance rates. How much your premiums rise by could also be partly determined by:
- Your age
- Your gender
- Your geographic location
- Your past driving record and claims history
Is There Anything I Can Do to Reduce My Insurance Rates?
There are some steps that you can take to reduce your insurance rates. You could look into options like:
- Changing your insurer
- Dropping certain types of coverage
- Asking about discounts, like multi-policy discounts
- Buying a car that’s less expensive to insure
You can also just wait. An accident generally fades in relevance to insurers after three to five years. Eventually, you should see your insurance rates begin to decline all on their own.
What Should I Do After an Accident?
If you do get into an accident, you need to take steps to protect yourself and build a potential case for compensation. You should:
- Take pictures of the accident scene and damage to the cars
- Exchange info with any other drivers involved
- Call the police so that they can make a report
- Avoid saying anything that could incriminate you
- Get medical care right away
When you do the right things at an accident scene, it can make it easier to prove that you were not at fault and that your insurance rates should not skyrocket as a result of this crash.
Can I Sue for Compensation?
If you believe that the accident was not your fault and your insurance coverage does not cover all of the expenses stemming from the accident, you may be able to sue for compensation. A seasoned personal injury lawyer from our firm can help you build a case that shows how the negligence of another driver caused an accident and your injuries, and then we can help you sue for damages that make up for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Contact our Legal Team
If you have been in an accident and you believe that another driver’s actions were to blame, contact Zlotolow & Associates. We can schedule a consultation and tell you more about your legal options.
