When you get into a car accident, it’s not just medical expenses that you need to worry about. If your car is significantly damaged, it’s going to cost a lot to repair or replace it. Who pays to repair that damage? Our Westchester County car accident attorneys don’t think it should be you, so let us help you fight for compensation that can help you with these costs.
Who Pays to Repair Vehicle Damage After a Crash?
In New York, the person who should pay for repairing any damage to your vehicle is the driver who caused the accident. If your expenses are rather low and the other driver has the necessary coverage, things should be pretty simple. Every driver is required to carry liability coverage that can reimburse another driver for damage to their vehicle or injuries in New York. The minimum coverage is $10,000 for property damage.
Now, matters can get more complicated if you have serious injuries or if there is a dispute about who is at fault. You can sue for damages if you have a significant injury or economic losses of more than $50,000. You may also run into issues if the other driver has $10,000 in coverage and the damage is going to cost more than that to repair. An insurer is not going to pay in excess of that coverage amount.
Can My Own Policy Pay For Damage Repairs?
In some cases, you can use your own insurance coverage to pay for the damage. If you receive money from the other driver and their insurer but still need money for repairs, you can use collision coverage. This optional coverage pays for repairs to your vehicle, regardless of fault.
If you don’t have that coverage, you should have supplementary uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. This can help pay for repairs if the other driver is at fault and they do not have enough liability coverage to fix the damage on their own.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
As you can probably tell, there are a lot of factors that can quickly make a car crash case like yours more complicated. This is why we recommend talking to a lawyer if you are seeking compensation. An attorney from our firm can help you:
- Show who is at fault
- Negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company
- Determine if your own insurance policy can help with the damage
- Protect you from accusations of wrongdoing
Dealing with insurance companies and working out a deal for fair compensation isn’t easy, but we’re ready to assist you.
Schedule a Free Consultation
If you are looking at some hefty repair bills after a car accident, contact Hausman & Pendzick. We can schedule a free consultation and tell you more about how we can help you get that damage paid for.