The Myriad Consequences of a Traffic Accident
Posted in Firm News, Motor Vehicle Accidents on September 30, 2020
Car accidents are bad news all the way around. They cause property damage and bodily injury and of course a number of fatalities every year on Washington roads.
Other negative consequences include financial impacts that last for years and years.
The impact on insurance rates
A Forbes article reveals how some accidents can cause insurance rates to increase while other accidents will have little impact on a person’s premiums. When the driver of a vehicle causes an accident that results in property damage or bodily injury or death that person’s insurance rates will likely increase. The threshold is usually more than 50% at fault. This will likely result in an insurance rate increase that will last between three to five years in most cases. A few other factors come into play in determining the level of a rate increase:
- The severity of the accident
- The person’s driving history
- The details of the insurance policy
Drivers who wish to avoid an insurance rate increase after an accident should document any proof of the other driver’s fault. This could include a police report or a statement from the other driver’s insurance company.
The impact on a person’s license
The Washington State Department of Licensing lists a number of violations that can result in the suspension of a driving license. While many of these violations do not involve a car accident, a number of them do. A person who causes an accident and is unable to pay damages for any reason could face a license suspension. The same holds true for a driver convicted of a hit and run offense involving an occupied vehicle. Vehicular assault, homicide or manslaughter could also result in a license suspension.
The bottom line is that car accidents bring grief in many ways. Road safety could prevent many problems for drivers. Victims of car accidents should seek medical attention and contact a Seattle car accident attorney as soon as possible.
Jay M. Kelly III - Managing Partner
Meet Jay M. Kelley III, a top medical malpractice attorney in Ohio with over 25 years of experience and $200 million in verdicts and settlements. He is licensed in Washington and heads Elk + Elk’s litigation strategy in state and federal courts and has a unique background as a former felony prosecutor and hospital defense lawyer. Jay specializes in complex cases, including birth injuries and wrongful death, and is recognized by Best Lawyers and ranked among the Super Lawyers Top 10 in Ohio.
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