Car crashes can generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses and losses in a matter of seconds. It is perfectly normal for people to worry about how they can cover those losses. Obviously, the damage to the vehicles can be quite expensive to repair. Beyond that, there is the potential for injury to the occupants of the vehicles involved. They may have emergency medical care costs and expenses associated with their long-term recovery after the wreck.
The worse someone’s injuries are, the more likely they are to require time away from work. In some cases, an injury may leave someone unable to return to the same profession because of long-term limitations or unable to work at all. How can people who didn’t cause a crash recoup the massive expenses inspired by a collision that leaves them hurt?
An insurance claim
Every motorist technically should carry car insurance. The driver who caused the crash should have a liability policy that can help cover a certain amount of property damage and injury-related expenses. Unfortunately, the policy limits on car insurance coverage can be too low in cases with severe injuries, forcing the other party to look at other options for recouping their losses.
The liability of the driver at fault
Technically, insurance coverage is mandatory to help people limit their liability if a crash does occur. People who don’t have the insurance required by law or don’t carry enough to cover crash expenses are often legally and financially culpable for the harm they cause to other people. Injured people may have the right to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the driver who caused the crash if they were negligent or if they engaged in misconduct by breaking the law.
Third-party liability
In a variety of different circumstances, there can be third parties with liability for a crash. Perhaps the driver at fault for the crash was at a bar drinking before the wreck. A bar or a restaurant that served an underage patron or someone clearly already drunk could be liable for crashes caused by patrons after they break alcohol service laws. Employers are sometimes liable for the crashes caused by their workers while they are on the clock. Even vehicle repair shops and manufacturers can be liable for crashes if issues with a vehicle are what caused the wreck.
The bigger the expenses generated by a crash, the more important it becomes to look at all options for compensation. Holding the right party accountable after a major motor vehicle collision can help people limit their losses. Someone who is not at fault for a crash may be able to seek compensation from insurance, the driver at fault or other parties when a crash leaves them with major expenses.