If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident, there are likely many things going through your mind. After the dust has settled, your vehicle has been repaired, and you have healed from your injuries, one of the main questions you may have is – how long will this accident stay on my insurance record?
This is important to know because the person’s insurance premiums may rise in the aftermath of a crash. The team at Russell & Hill – Injury & Accident Attorneys wants to discuss this issue with you.
What happens after a crash?
After a car accident happens, your main priorities should be to take care of any injuries, make a full recovery, and get your car repaired or replaced. After all of that is taken care of, car accident victims would rather forget the incident ever happened.
While you may want to forget the accident happened, your insurance company is not going to forget so quickly, particularly if you were at fault for the crash. A car accident can stay on your driving record for longer than you would like. How long the incident stays on your record will depend on a variety of factors, including:
- where you live
- your insurance company
- whether you were at fault or not
- the seriousness of the violation that led to the accident
In general, increased insurance rates last approximately three years and will gradually lower over that time span. That is, as long as you avoid getting into another accident within that time period. For major violations, such as hit-and-run or DUI incidents, The crash may stay on a person’s record for up to 10 years.
Many insurance companies have what are called “accident forgiveness” programs in place. Generally, these accident forgiveness programs will forgive at least one accident. These programs are often available for those who have a history of safe driving or have been with that particular insurance company for a long period of time.
There are ways to lower your rates
If you or at fault in an accident in your insurance premiums rose because of it, there are some steps you can take to possibly lower your insurance premiums before the accident drops off your record. Some of the most popular ways to do this with many insurance companies include:
- taking a defensive driving class
- paying premiums in full
- installing anti-theft devices in your vehicle
- bundling your auto insurance with other types of insurance (with that company)
We will work to help you after a car accident
If you or someone you care about has been involved in a car accident, you may need to seek legal assistance to help with your case. The aftermath of a car accident can become complicated. If you were at fault in a car accident, this could negatively impact your insurance rates. The team at Russell & Hill – Injury & Accident Attorneys will help you from the beginning of your case to the end. We will work to determine liability for the incident and help you with insurance claims. You can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 800-529-0842.
