Will Car Insurance Rates Go Up After an Accident?

There’s a good chance your car insurance rates will go up after an accident if you caused the crash. However, if you didn’t cause the crash, you aren’t likely to see an increase in your monthly insurance payments. Either way, it’s best to consult with a Phoenix car accident lawyer after a collision to learn more.

A skilled attorney can investigate your accident, file a strong claim for compensation on your behalf, and answer any questions you have about insurance or the claims process. Let’s take a closer look at whether insurance rates go up after an accident and how a lawyer can help you move forward after a crash.

How Much Insurance Increases After an Accident

When you are at fault for an auto accident, you can expect your car insurance rates to go up. This is because insurers base your premiums on the statistical likelihood that you’ll get in an accident. When you’ve already caused a collision, you are statistically more likely to be involved in another.

As a result, insurers charge you more because you are more likely to need coverage from them in the future. According to a report on how much car insurance goes up after a car accident, rates go up, on average, by 45% after collisions involving vehicle damage. That number goes up to 47% for incidents that result in injuries. 

These percentages show the average rate increase on a national level. According to the same reporting, rates go up by 47% for Arizonans at fault for accidents resulting in property damage. Drivers in Arizona who cause accidents resulting in injuries see an average 48% increase.

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Can Comparative Negligence Laws Make My Insurance Rates Go Up After an Accident?

If you’ve ever gotten into an accident before, you might be familiar with Arizona’s comparative negligence law. The law deals with accidents in which both drivers are partially to blame. According to A.R.S. § 12-2505, each person who is at fault for a car accident resulting in injury is responsible for the percentage of fault assigned to them.

For example, if you are 25% to blame for a car accident that causes someone else an injury and their medical bills are $10,000, you’ll be responsible for $2,500 worth of their expenses. In this example, you might also be wondering if your insurance rates will go up even though you were only responsible for 25% of the accident.

Fortunately, rates often only go up for a driver who significantly contributes to a collision. While the definition of a significant contribution can differ from case to case, you can count on an attorney to advise you on whether or not you can expect a spike in your premiums.

Talk to a Lawyer Before You Speak to the Insurance Company

While insurance companies may claim to be your friend after a collision, they often aren’t looking out for your best interests. In fact, insurers will go to great lengths to deny your claim and offer you less than you need to cover your losses. 

In some cases, insurers will contact you right after an accident to offer a quick and easy settlement. While these offers may be tempting at first glance, they are often lowball offers that don’t come close to replacing the financial losses you’ve incurred. 

What’s even worse is that an offer from the insurer may provide you with compensation while simultaneously stating that you were partially at-fault for the incident or made a significant contribution to it. Accepting an offer like this could increase your rates.

The good news is that an attorney can review any offers you receive and make sure they are in your best interest to accept. If a settlement offer doesn’t work for you, your lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company to improve it. 

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How Fault Is Determined After a Car Accident

If your case is settled through the insurance company, you and the other involved party will come to an agreement as to how much each side is to blame. In cases where the facts of the accident are unclear, the insurance company may dispute claims of fault. 

That’s why it’s important to find a lawyer who can conduct a thorough investigation of your accident, find the evidence they need to prove fault and show the insurer that the other driver was to blame. 

If your case goes to court, the jury will decide how much you and the other driver are at fault. It’s critical that you hire a lawyer to represent you at trial, as they’ll be able to present the facts and show who is to blame for the incident. 

Whether your case is settled through insurance or brought to court, your attorney will work hard to ensure your percentage of fault is set low, decreasing the likelihood that you’ll see a rise in car insurance rates. 

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How to Avoid Insurance Increase After an Accident

Now that you know how much your car insurance rates can go up after an accident, you’re probably wondering how to avoid such an increase in your premiums. There are several steps you can take to prevent a significant rate increase, including the following:

• Report the accident promptly: It’s important to inform your insurance company immediately to avoid complications or delays in processing your claim.
• Purchase accident forgiveness: Adding accident forgiveness to your auto insurance policy will keep your rates the same after your first accident.
• Maintain a good driving record: Having a spotless driving record can help offset the impact that an accident has on your insurance rates.
• Take a defensive driving course: Some insurance companies offer discounted rates if you take a defensive driving course. 
• Shop around for insurance: If your rates increase after an accident, take a look at the rates that other providers are offering and try to find a better deal.

By taking these steps, you could avoid a serious increase in insurance rates after an accident or at least soften the blow of one. In addition to taking these steps, you’ll also want to hire a Phoenix personal injury lawyer. An attorney can work hard to prove that the other driver was at fault, making it less likely that you’ll have to pay more for insurance. 

Other Ways a Lawyer Can Help You After a Car Accident

There are a number of other actions a lawyer can take on your behalf after a serious crash. If you’ve been hurt in a collision, an attorney can do everything from helping you find the best medical care to pursuing a settlement that covers all your accident-related losses.

Here’s what you can expect a lawyer to do for you after a collision:

• Investigate the accident you were involved in
• Collect and analyze police reports, photos of the incident, witness testimonies, medical records, and other forms of evidence
• Use evidence to file a strong claim 
• Negotiate a settlement that meets your needs
• Take your case to court, if necessary
• Abide by state filing deadlines and other regulations
• Offer legal guidance and support throughout your entire case
• Advise you on whether car insurance rates go up after an accident

Schedule a Free Consultation With an Attorney Today

Dealing with claims, insurance companies, and injuries after a car crash can be incredibly difficult. Luckily, the team at Zanes Law is here to help you move forward after a crash. Our team can pursue a settlement that works for you and offer information on why car insurance rates go up after an accident.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a dedicated lawyer from our firm. We’ve recovered over $500 million for accident victims like you. You can count on us to do everything we can to get a favorable result.

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