If you’re in a car accident, it’s important to know whether or not the law will protect you. If one driver was negligent and caused the accident, that driver is liable for the damages that result. The law protects drivers who can prove they were not at fault in an accident. Proving this requires going through a civil lawsuit and presenting arguments: facts, and evidence to support your claim. Here is a list of things that can happen when you fail to prove liability in a car accident.
1. You Are Responsible for Damages
If you are found to be equally negligent in a car accident in which you fail to prove liability, you will be held responsible for damages to the other party. This means that the person harmed can take you to court to recover compensation for losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In addition, you could be held responsible for damages to your car and wages you’ve lost while you’ve been unable to work. To prove liability in a car accident, you will need to show that the other driver is completely responsible for the accident with concrete proof. To do that, you will need a lawyer’s help.
2. A Part of Your Car Insurance Rates Will Likely Increase
In the eyes of your insurance company, you will become a reckless driver. So, they will increase your premiums considerably because they’ll need to pay more on claims and damages that occur due to car accidents. This is because you were involved in an accident where liability cannot be established. This will affect your rates for a long time, assuming you do not get into another accident within a specific period.
3. You May Face Criminal Charges
The driver found liable could be convicted of a crime, including negligent driving or reckless driving, if it was a fatal accident. Additionally, the driver may face criminal charges for serious injuries, property damage, and violations of other laws. You could be in a position to go to prison for a car accident in which you are partially liable, and you could not prove liability. This is why you need a lawyer, especially when you are partially liable for the accident. Not proving liability in a car accident where you are partially liable has serious consequences.
Reckless driving may lead to jail time and large fines.
4. Failure to Prove Liability in a Car Accident Could Make You Ineligible for Medicaid
If you are found to be equally negligent in a car accident and don’t have disability insurance, you could be denied Medicaid. This may result in a loss of income for you and your family. Therefore, you should seek professional advice to prove liability. In addition, liability isn’t the only thing important regarding health insurance claims. The percentage of fault you take on in an accident is also important and can change the amount you recover from your insurance provider. If the other driver is responsible, they will pay up to the limits of their policy.
Conclusion
Failure to prove liability in a car accident can have serious financial consequences. This is why it is so important to always carry auto insurance and know the law in your state. If you have questions or want more information on how car accidents affect injured victims, ask an injury attorney for help.