Car accidents can happen to anyone, at any time. You may find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being injured in an accident caused by someone you know. It might be your best friend who was giving you a ride or even a colleague who offered to drive you home. But regardless of who caused the accident, if you were injured, you need to know your options.
Many people hesitate to file an insurance claim against their friend or family member because they’re worried it may harm their relationship. However, it’s essential to understand that you’re not taking any money out of your friend’s pocket. You’re actually making a claim against their auto liability insurance, which is designed to cover these situations.
What Is Auto Liability Insurance?
Auto liability insurance is coverage purchased by drivers to pay for damages resulting from an accident that was their fault. Every driver is required by state law to have some form of liability insurance in order to operate a motor vehicle legally. This means that when one person causes an accident and another person is injured as a result, the at-fault driver’s auto liability insurance will cover medical bills and other expenses associated with the injury.
Will My Friend’s Rates Go Up?
It’s common to worry whether or not your loved one’s insurance rate will go up by filing a claim against their insurance company. But making a claim does not lead to an increased premium — it’s the actual accident (not the subsequent claims) that triggers an increase in rates.
Driver A gets in an accident and their friend files a claim against their insurance.
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Driver B gets in an accident and their friend does not file a claim.
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Driver A and Driver B were both at fault for the accident.
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Does Driver A’s insurance go up more than Driver B?
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No!
Insurance rates will increase regardless due to the accident and if the driver was at fault — not because you filed an injury claim. So rest assured you don’t have to worry about your loved one facing any additional rate hikes when you choose to file a claim.
Should You Hire an Injury Attorney?
The answer is YES! Even though filing a personal injury claim against your friend or family member may feel uncomfortable, it’s important to remember that it isn’t actually taking any money out of their pocket —- rather, you are making a claim against their auto liability insurance policy that was designed specifically for these types of situations. Filing a claim does not mean that you are trying to get money from them; it just means that you want your medical bills and other expenses covered by the appropriate party (in this case, their insurer).
Additionally, many people don’t realize that filing a claim will actually help protect both parties involved: if your injuries require long-term treatment or cause permanent disability or disfigurement, then having them covered by auto liability insurance can prevent future disputes between both parties down the line. After all, no one wants a legal battle over medical bills with someone they care about! It’s easier — and better — to put those disputes in the hands of the insurer where they belong.
At the end of the day, if you were injured in an accident caused by someone close to you — whether it’s your best friend, co-worker, or even family member — then it’s important for you to understand your rights and take action quickly.
Filing an auto liability insurance claim doesn’t mean taking anything away from your friend; instead, it simply means getting access to the coverage provided by their policy in order to pay for expenses related to your injury.
If you find yourself in this situation, our lawyers at Sam & Ash Injury Law can help you evaluate whether filing an accident claim against your friend’s insurance is the right decision. We understand that a passenger injury claim must be handled delicately and with open communication to preserve your relationship. We have experience handling these delicate cases and will ensure that you understand each step in the legal process, making it a smooth experience with an outcome everyone is happy with.
At Sam & Ash Injury Law, we prioritize our clients and seek to get them the compensation they deserve. We’ll negotiate with insurers to seek what’s right for YOU, and we won’t let a personal relationship stand in the way of your right to compensation.
Our team is available 24/7 to provide a free consultation –– no pressure, no fee, just attorneys who want What’s Right for you. Get in touch with us today and find out more about how we can help. Sam & Ash Injury Law — injury lawyers you’ll like, results you’ll love. Call or text 702-820-1234 or click here TODAY!
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