Who Pays For The Damages In A Car Accident?

Car accidents can happen in a split-second, but the consequences can be long-lasting. Depending on the severity of the collision, the vehicle may require expensive repairs and the driver or passengers may require expensive medical treatment. We certainly never wish an auto accident upon anyone, but in the event that one arises, our car accident attorneys in Miller County MO, Pulaski County, Camden County, and Laclede County will be here to defend your rights.

What To Do If You Are In An Accident

If you have been in a car accident at the Lake of the Ozarks, there are a few steps you should take. First and foremost, you should move all vehicles and passengers out of the way of oncoming traffic if at all possible. Once you have ensured the safety of everyone involved, follow these steps:

• Call the police so someone can come out and determine who is at fault. 
• Exchange information with the other driver(s). Be sure to get their:
  • Auto insurance company
  • Policy information and number
  • Physical address
  • Name
• Gather evidence at the scene of the accident by taking pictures of the accident with your smartphone and collecting testimonies from any witnesses.

Who Pays For The Damages In A Car Accident?

The individual (or insurance company) responsible for covering the expenses associated with a car accident will depend on a variety of different factors, such as which driver was at-fault and whether or not the at-fault driver has insurance. Though driving without insurance is a crime, there are a surprising number of drivers out on the road who do not have insurance – or, if they do have insurance, their coverage is not sufficient enough to cover the damages from an accident. 

The police will determine who is at-fault for ticketing purposes, but the insurance companies will make their own judgments. While they will take the police report into account, their decision may ultimately be different than that of the police. Here are a few general rules governing who pays for the damages in different scenarios:

• If the driver who caused the accident has insurance (and their insurance company agrees that they were at-fault), their insurance company should pay for the damages.
• If the driver who caused the accident does not have insurance (or if their coverage is not adequate), the other insurance should cover the damages under their uninsured motorist policy.
• If neither driver has insurance, both drivers will typically be responsible for covering their own costs out-of-pocket.