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Who Pays For Repairs After an Accident?

An auto accident can be a very stressful scary and oftentimes a very traumatic event. Anyone who has dealt with the aftermath of a car accident can tell you how aggravating it can be to deal with insurance companies and adjusters. If your vehicle needs repairs you may have several questions about how to get your car repaired and back on the road In Florida, you have many different ways to do this. The options available to you will depend on the specific circumstances of your accident including who was at fault insurance coverages available in your policy or in the other driver’s insurance policy. This blog post should help alleviate some of the questions you may have about property damage claims and how to get assistance from insurance companies following an accident that leaves your car in disrepair. We will also explain what your rights are with respect to property damage repair after a car accident in Florida. The first thing you need to keep in mind is that the party who caused the car accident is typically going to be responsible for any necessary repairs that includes everything from minor scratches bumps and dents to major bodywork If your insurance company determines that your car is a total loss, then the responsible party is considered to be liable for the actual cash value or market value of your car at the time of the accident. It is important to note that this is true even in states like Florida where we have a no-fault auto insurance system Under a no-fault car insurance system medical bills and expenses and in some cases even lost income is paid out under your own insurance provider. However, property damage is not necessarily covered his means that there is sometimes an issue on who should be held liable for car repairs after a car accident.

Below we will discuss some of the options you may have available to you depending on your own insurance coverage in addition to any other applicable insurance coverage.

The Other Drivers Property Damage Liability Coverage

Drivers are required to buy liability insurance for registered vehicles and after a car accident the property damage liability coverage of the at-fault drivers insurance should kick in to pay for any damage to your car his means if someone else was responsible for your accident their insurer should pay for your car repairs (or for the market value of your car), and you have the right to make a claim with that carrier directly.

Your Own Collision Coverage

But what if the at-fault driver does not have insurance or what if you caused the car accident? That if you are certain the other driver is responsible but you want to get your car as soon as possible? In some instances you can turn to your own insurance coverage in order to repair or replace your vehicle. You can go this route if you purchased collision coverage when you first purchased your insurance policy this type of auto insurance coverage is like an additional form of no-fault insurance because fault is irrelevant for this type of coverage. Your insurance company will have to replace or repair your vehicle regardless of fault. For those who decide to purchase collision coverage, it will cover any necessary repairs to your vehicle or pay out if your vehicle is declared to be a total loss. But it is important to note that if you decide to make a claim under your insurance company, you will have to pay the deductible which is usually a few hundred dollars or more depending on your policy. In some instances, you have the right to get the deductible back. For instance, if your own insurance company cuts you a check for your car to get repaired or for it to be replaced your insurance company can turn around and sue the other drivers insurance company to seek reimbursement. In this process, it is possible that your insurance company will return your deductible back to you once the claim is resolved.

Pay Out of Pocket and Seek Repayment

This is probably the quickest way to get back on the road after an accident, but it is probably not the best option for everyone. If your insurance adjuster decides that you paid too much for repairs, you may be on the hook for the remaining balance for your repairs. For more on repairs, be sure to check out another blog post we did on the Florida Motor Vehicle Repair Act. In that blog post, we explained all of your rights under Florida law when it comes to having your vehicle replaced. One more thing if the other driver puts up an argument on issues like fault for the accident or the extent of damage to your vehicle then you could be in store for a long wait before you get payment for your repairs if at all.

If you or a loved one were involved in a car accident involving with another driver, contact the accident injury attorneys at Suarez Montero and ask about receiving a free consultation so that we can see how we can help you with your personal injury claim. Our skilled injury lawyers have the experience necessary to handle all aspects of your personal injury claim and can help you secure the compensation that you deserve. Our attorneys routinely leverage their considerable experience into obtaining significant settlements from insurance companies who are known for being reluctant to pay out on claims. Additionally, our firm genuinely cares about our clients then you come to us for assistance with any legal matter we provide the utmost personal attention to make sure that we achieve the best possible outcome.