A car accident can happen anywhere on the road at any time. While there’s rarely a good time for a Virginia resident or anyone else to get into an accident, it’s important to know what to do in the moments and days that follow. An individual who causes a crash may have no choice but to report it to their insurance company as well as to relevant authorities.
It may be a good idea to report the accident even if the damage seems minor. According to the Institute for Highway Safety, crashes that occur at low speeds can still cause $1,000 or more in damage. However, if the cost to fix the damage is roughly the same as a driver’s deductible, it might be better to forego an insurance claim. In such a scenario, the driver will have to pay the full cost to fix the damage and contend with a possible insurance rate hike.
Those who aren’t sure as to when they should report an accident should talk with an insurance agent. In some cases, it’s possible to report it immediately through a 24 hour hotline or through an agency’s mobile app. Those who wish to sue should be aware that any applicable statute of limitations generally begins from the date the crash occurs.
An individual who is involved in a car wreck has the ability to seek compensation for medical bills and other costs incurred. However, it may be necessary to show that the accident was caused by another party’s negligence. For instance, the victim’s lawyer may have to show that a driver was going too fast for road conditions or was distracted when the crash took place. In some cases, multiple parties could be liable for paying damages.