Experiencing a car accident may confuse you for a while and may not allow you to take the most logical action, especially if you are not at fault for the accident. And it needs more critical thinking on your part if you are involved in a rideshare accident. Just to make sure you can protect all your rights and receive fair accident compensation, immediately call a rideshare accident attorney.
According to a study, around 94% of all crashes are the responsibility of drivers. A higher population increases the risk of car accidents. For instance, if you live in the most populous county in New Jersey, your best bet would be to have a Bergen County car accident lawyer beforehand to ensure they can look after all the legal matters concerning car accidents professionally.
While it’s important to know what to do after a car accident that is not your fault, knowing your rights after the accident is equally important. Read below!
Right to Hold the At-Fault Party Liable
It’s best to stay calm and not move away from the scene as this would give the perception that you were at fault. You have the right to hold the at-fault defendant liable for the financial and economic damages that they caused you.
You should immediately call the police so they can gather sufficient evidence to help determine the liability that can be useful when you have to claim insurance and for other possible legal proceedings. Also, you shouldn’t wait for too long to take action against the defendant’s party as they may try to take advantage of the situation and blame you for the accident that wasn’t your fault.
Right to Fair Financial Compensation
Many people don’t think it’s necessary to visit a doctor, however, you should visit a doctor right after the accident. The reason? First off, some internal injuries may require immediate medical attention. Secondly, you will have the evidence on hand for the injuries and medical expenses on the day of the accident.
The at-fault defendant and their insurance company will be liable for medical expenses, loss of current and future wages, pain, and suffering, etc.
Right to Deal with the Insurance Company through Your Lawyer
The at-fault party’s insurance company will try their best to deny you an insurance claim or pay you a lower settlement amount by looking for such information that goes against you. Therefore, you should not contact the defendant’s insurance company at all. Instead, you have the right to hire an auto accident lawyer that can directly contact the defendant’s insurer and settle the claim with the amount that you’re legally entitled to professionally.
Now that you know your rights, you also need to know what happens to your insurance rates in such a situation.
Does Insurance Go Up After a No-Fault Accident?
If you weren’t at fault for the accident, your insurance rates won’t go up. As the defendant party’s insurer is supposed to pay for all your damages, not your insurer, so your premium won’t rise.
However, before having a no-fault accident, if you had an accident previously that was your fault then your auto insurance rates may increase. The rates vary according to the insurer. While some states like California and Oklahoma don’t allow the policy to increase rates after a no-fault accident.