Who Pays for My Vehicle Damage in California?

If you are in a motor vehicle accident, the most important thing is making sure that you are physically OK. After you get checked out, you might start to wonder about other issues. If your car has sustained damage in a crash, who will pay for the repairs?

After a California car accident, drivers have two main options when it comes to getting their vehicle damage covered: their own insurance policy or the at-fault driver’s insurance company. If another driver caused your accident, then you can seek reimbursement for car repairs directly from them or their insurance company. Our Walnut personal injury attorneys can help you get the compensation that you are entitled to for your property damage, medical bills, lost wages, emotional distress, and other losses.

At the Appel Law Firm LLP, we offer outstanding legal representation to injury victims throughout Northern California. We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you’ll never pay a fee unless we recover money for you. Contact our law offices today to schedule a free initial consultation with a Walnut Creek car accident lawyer.

Compensation in a California Auto Accident Claim

If you are in a motor vehicle accident, you might be entitled to financial compensation for all of your losses (damages). This may include both economic and non-economic damages. In some cases, you may also be awarded punitive damages if the at-fault driver acted intentionally or recklessly.

Economic damages pay for your direct financial losses. This may include medical bills, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, vehicle repair or replacement, and the cost of a rental car. Depending on your situation, economic damages may pay for other losses, such as the cost of medical equipment.

Non-economic damages pay for intangible losses. While you won’t get a bill for these types of losses, they are just as important as economic damages. They may include things like pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, scarring, disfigurement, and emotional distress.

If your car has been damaged in a motor vehicle accident, then you may be able to seek compensation from the at-fault driver for all of your losses. This includes the cost of either fixing your car or replacing it as part of your economic damages. Our Walnut Creek car accident lawyers will fight to get you full compensation for all of your losses.

Who Pays for My Car Repairs After an Accident?

If your vehicle sustained damage in a car crash, then there are a few possibilities when it comes to paying for the repairs. The ultimate payor will depend on the facts of the case and the insurance coverage that each party has.

First, it is important to understand that another driver will be responsible for your losses if they caused the accident. In most cases, the driver’s car insurance policy will cover damages in a motor vehicle accident. However, it may take some time to get reimbursement for these expenses.

For this reason, many drivers choose to purchase optional collision coverage for their vehicles. This type of insurance coverage pays for the cost of repairing or replacing a vehicle after an accident, regardless of fault. Many drivers choose to purchase collision coverage to ensure that their car repairs are paid for immediately.

If you have collision coverage, then you can get your car fixed, and your car insurance policy will pay the cost (minus any deductible). Your insurance company can then seek reimbursement from the at-fault driver for these expenses.

If you don’t have collision coverage, there are several other options for getting your repairs covered. If the driver has car insurance (as required by California law), then you can seek compensation through their insurer. This typically happens in one of three ways:

• You pay for the repairs yourself and then seek reimbursement from the other driver or their insurance company;
• You wait until the case settles to repair the vehicle; or
• You try to settle just the property damage portion of the case immediately.

If the at-fault driver does not have auto insurance, then you have some other options for coverage:

• You can settle the claim directly with the responsible driver;
• You can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver; or 
• If you have uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) motorist coverage, then you can file a claim against your own insurance policy to pay for the repairs.

For example, consider a situation where another driver rear-ends your vehicle while you are stopped at a red light in Walnut Creek. Your car sustains $8,000 in damages. In this case, you could:

• File a claim for collision coverage (if you have it);
• Pay for the repairs out of pocket and seek reimbursement from the at-fault driver’s insurance company;
• Hold off on repairing your vehicle until the case settles;
• Try to negotiate the $8,000 repair cost while continuing to work on a settlement for your remaining damages;
• Ask the at-fault driver to pay the mechanic/body shop directly;
• Sue the at-fault driver personally for the $8,000; or
• File a UM/UIM claim against your own insurance policy.

Of course, many people do not necessarily have the cash on hand to pay for expensive car repairs. Our Walnut Creek car accident lawyers can help you understand your options based on the facts of your case and the insurance coverage available to you. If you choose to move forward with a personal injury claim, we will fight to get you maximum compensation for all of your losses, including property damage.

Finally, most car insurance policies require policyholders to report any accident promptly. If you do not notify your insurance company that you were involved in a crash, it could affect your right to file a claim. Under California law, your car insurance premiums will not increase if you were not at fault for the accident.

Help for Car Accident Victims

Figuring out how to pay for car repairs can be challenging, especially if you are also dealing with medical bills and lost wages. You might be able to have your repair bills paid immediately by your own insurance or seek payment from the at-fault driver or their insurance company. Our law firm can help you navigate the process and will fight to get you a fair settlement.

The Appel Law Firm represents injury victims who have been hurt in all types of accidents, including car accidents, slips and falls, workplace accidents, and more. To learn more or to schedule a free initial consultation with a Walnut Creek car accident attorney, give us a call at 925-938-2000 or fill out our online contact form.