Should I Continue Driving My Automobile After An Accident?
Whether or not you should continue driving your automobile after an accident will depend on how seriously your car has been damaged. If there is minor damage to your vehicle, then feel free to continue driving it. However, if you have a concern about its dependability, then you should not continue driving it. In either case, you need to get estimates of the costs to repair the damage. You should have your own collision insurance company send an adjuster to do an estimate for you. You should also have the at-fault driver’s insurance company adjuster provide an estimate. Your own attorney should help guide you in this process of getting your vehicle repaired quickly. We always help our clients get their cars repaired while we are handling their personal injury claim, and we generally do not charge anything for that.
Should I Have My Car Inspected And Appraised?
You should have your car inspected and appraised and should seek out estimates of the damages from both your own collision insurance company and from the insurer of the at-fault driver. Then, you can choose to use the appraisal that is most favorable to you.
What If My Car Is Actually Totaled?
If the estimate of the cost to repair your vehicle exceeds its value, then your car will be declared a total loss. You will then be entitled to be paid the actual cash value of your vehicle at the time of the collision. In Louisiana, the law allows you a reasonable time period within which to locate and purchase a replacement vehicle. Our law also provides that the at-fault driver’s insurance company owes you the reasonable cost to rent a vehicle during the time you are locating a replacement vehicle. If your own auto insurance policy has a rental auto coverage benefit, then you can use that benefit if the at-fault driver’s insurance company gives you a hassle and delays providing you with a rental car during the time that you are looking for a replacement vehicle.
Who Is Responsible For Car Repair Costs?
The insurer of the at-fault driver is responsible for car repair costs. In addition, your own collision insurance company is responsible for your car repair costs. This means that you can choose whichever one can give you the best deal.
What If My Car Damages Keep Me From Work? Is There Anything I Can Do Or Recoup For That?
If your car damages keep you from work, then the at-fault driver’s auto liability insurance company must pay you the value of any loss of wages you suffered due to lack of transportation to and from work. This is certainly a part of your personal injury claim.
How Do I File A Car Insurance Claim?
In order to file a car insurance claim, you must contact the insurer of the at-fault driver. In most cases, the officer will give you the name of the at-fault driver’s insurance company, or you and the at-fault driver may exchange insurance company information before the officer even arrives. You should contact that insurance company to make a claim for your car repairs.
When Should I Hire A Personal Injury Attorney?
You should hire a personal injury attorney as soon as you have addressed your immediate medical needs. You should then consult with and hire a lawyer to handle your claim. Generally, the lawyer that you hire to handle your personal injury claim will guide you through the process of getting your car repaired while they handle your personal injury claim. Generally speaking, the claimants who have attorneys recover an estimated three times the amount of those who try to handle a claim without an attorney.
For more information on Driving After An Accident In Louisiana, a free initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (225) 228-3450 today.
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