Being sued in a car accident, what can they take? This question comes to every driver’s mind when involved in a car accident. Once you cause an accident, of course, there are consequences. It could be an at-fault car accident. If the accident has caused damage to the other party, you can be sued for a car accident.
It can only be easy if you have auto insurance coverage that can cover all the damage costs. Driving without auto insurance is illegal and risky. If you’re involved in a car accident, the law is clear, and you will be responsible for compensating the victims.
In case of injury, you will cover the whole hospital bill, medical care, property damage, lost wages, pain and suffering, and all the damages caused. When the victim has a good accident lawyer, they have a high chance of milking you hundreds of dollars to cover the damages.
If you are being sued for a car accident, ensure your insurance can cover enough for all the damages. Most times in accident lawsuits, at least 95% of these cases agree to settle before trial. You need a reasonable injury attorney to help you battle the case because he can help you get what you deserve.
Being Sued for Car Accident At-Fault
Once you have caused an accident, consider settling and paying the damages to the other party. However, this depends on how you can agree. If you can’t agree to cover all the damages, the victim can file a lawsuit. Being Sued in a car accident: what can they take? This should be the next big question you should ask yourself. Many people have lost all their assets to cover damages caused by car accidents.
If you disagree on settlement for the injuries with the victim, they have the right to file a lawsuit against you. If you have been sued for a car accident, your insurance coverage company will negotiate a settlement with the victim and sign a release of liability. This comes in handy if you pay enough for the liability coverage.
As a result, the victim will not have access to your money or assets. Sometimes, even someone with insurance coverage might face personal lawsuit injury against them. This is because the victim’s damages can exceed the insurance policy limits. An example is if the accident paralyzed the victim and the damages exceed 1 million dollars. Most state drivers have a minimum bodily injury liability policy of about $15,000- $30,000.
How Do I Know The Difference Between Judgment and Settlement When Sued For a Car Accident?
Accidents lawsuit might take some time until the process is complete as it requires a way to progress. Many prefer settlement outside court, mainly if the victim accepts personal liability. If you disagree on the payment, the victim can decide to go to trial. The main difference is that one case is solved in court( settlement), and the other is outside ( judgment).
If you are the driver and are being sued for a car accident, the victim’s attorney will file a claim with your insurance company.
The attorney provides your auto insurance company the evidence of all the damages and all the information regarding the accident. The primary purpose is to prove the victim suffered an injury due to your negligence and recklessness on the road if they have eyewitness testimonies, medical reports, and police records.
After the insurance receives everything from the victim’s attorney, negotiations begin. If the Insurance company accepts the and believes the evidence is solid enough, they will start the settlement early. This is because when the case is taken to trial, the judge might suggest awarding a verdict higher than the settlement to the victim.
However, if the evidence needs to be more compelling, the insurance company can offer a lower amount until both parties decide to settle. They can only go to trial if they disagree. The judge’s final verdict is the end of the trial. Sometimes it can get sticky for both parties because if the evidence delivered isn’t compelling, the judge’s verdict may suggest an appropriate amount or higher than the claim amount, or they can decide both parties to be compensated.
Why is it Better to Settle After Being Sued For a Car Accident?
When deciding on a car accident settlement claim, there are higher chances to go for trial if both parties disagree. However, it’s possible for both parties involved to decide how to cover the damages without trial, as everyone would want to avoid unexpected results t. The insurance coverage company, the victim, and the victim’s attorney can decide how to settle the case outside the court.
The victim is afraid of going home with nothing, while the defendant ( driver) avoids the verdict, and it can require paying more money to the victim. Once the judgment is made, there are no negotiations, and it is final; that’s why most people prefer settling outside court.
A lawsuit can run for years, resulting in both parties spending more money on the case. As we all know, litigation is expensive.
The whole process becomes pricey, from the investigation to eyewitnesses to all the lawyer sessions. Even before the end of trials, much money will be spent while all this can be settled outside the court. This money loss applies to all parties, so they opt for an early settlement to avoid this. Getting sued for a car accident can be frustrating, and both want to settle and move on with their lives.
What Happens if I’m Sued For a Car Accident, and I Lose The Lawsuit?
You can be sued if you have damaged the other driver or were at fault in a car accident. Another reason is if you don’t agree to settle outside the court.
However, when you are getting sued for a car accident, there are chances you can lose the lawsuit. One thing you shouldn’t do is to agree at fault, but if you accept then, its is best you settle the claim outside the court.
You can let the victim file a lawsuit only if you believe you weren’t responsible for the accident and are ready to fight the allegations. You will need an excellent attorney to help you through the case in court and prove your innocence. All in all, if after being sued for a car accident you were found responsible, then you should compensate the victim for all the damages costs you caused. If you have liability insurance and pay for a premium policy, it can help you cover the whole claim.