Car accidents can result in injuries, sometimes catastrophic ones. While injuries are what usually make the headlines, property damage is also common. Even minor car accidents can cause property damage.
If you sustain property damage in an auto accident, you may be eligible for compensation to take care of it. Here’s what you should know about property damage and how it can affect your auto accident claim.
Types of Property Damage
Property damage can cover almost anything from your vehicle to personal belongings and even your pets.
Vehicle Damage
Damage to a vehicle is common after an accident, and a minor fender bender can leave dents and dings on the bumper.
Even if you don’t mind driving around with a dented fender or bumper, filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company is still a good idea. The ding to your fender can cause unseen damage that may take a while to become apparent. For example, your suspension may be off, and this can be dangerous.
Over time, your suspension can worsen, making it difficult to steer and control your vehicle. Now, you’re the driver posing a risk to other motorists. Finding and repairing the issue not only helps prevent an accident but can also limit repair expenses. Repairing a minor problem is almost always cheaper than fixing a major vehicle issue.
Personal Property Damage
Yes, your vehicle is considered personal property, especially if it’s registered in your name. However, there are other types of personal property that can be damaged in a minor car accident.
Drivers commonly use their vehicles for storage; take a minute to think about what you have stored in the trunk or backseat. You also toss the items you’ll need for the day or night, depending on when you’re leaving your house, which can include your laptop, tablet, smartphone, and whatever you have tucked away inside your purse.
Did you know a car seat is considered a personal item? If your vehicle is in a minor accident, it may be time to replace the car seat. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends replacing a car seat after a minor, moderate, or severe vehicle accident.
The force from the crash may be strong enough to weaken or crack the car seat’s frame, and even if the car seat looks fine, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. In other words, never take a chance with a car seat that’s been involved in an auto collision.
Pet Injuries
Pet owners often consider their furry companions members of their family; if a pet is injured in an accident, it’s often traumatic for everyone. A trip to the emergency veterinarian clinic is often your first stop after a minor car accident. Of course, you want to treat your injuries first, but your pet’s health is a priority.
Hopefully, the injuries to your pet are minor. No one wants to see a beloved pet in pain. Did you know that you may be able to claim your pet’s injuries as damages? This can be welcome news, especially after receiving the vet bill.
Minimum Requirements for Property Damage Liability Insurance
Like most states, Texas has laws requiring all drivers to carry auto insurance. While full coverage is an option, you must at least carry the state minimum in liability insurance.
What’s the difference between full coverage and liability insurance? The answer is pretty simple. Full coverage applies to your damages and those of the other involved driver/s.
For example, if a minor accident results in dings to both vehicles’ bumpers and you’re the at-fault driver, your insurance will cover the repairs for both cars. If you are only carrying liability insurance, the policy only pays for damages sustained by the non-fault driver.
In other words, the damage to your vehicle isn’t covered under your liability insurance policy. So, what are Texas’s minimum liability insurance requirements?
- $30,000 per person for bodily harm
- $60,000 total per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
You can increase the minimum coverage amounts and most insurance providers are more than happy to help. However, you can’t decrease the coverage amounts. If you do find an insurance company willing to work against the state law, it’s probably one you want to avoid. Take it as a huge red flag and work with an insurance carrier that understands and follows Texas law.
How to Seek Compensation for Property Damage
Receiving compensation for property damage after an auto accident should be as easy as contacting the insurance company and waiting for a check. Unfortunately, the process rarely goes this smoothly.
As an unwritten rule, most insurance companies don’t like paying out full claim amounts. This means you may be dealing with several negotiations and possibly even filing a lawsuit in civil court. However, you can take a few steps to make the claims process go a little more smoothly.
After the accident, check yourself, any passengers, and pets for any injuries. Do the same for the other driver involved in the accident.
Contact the authorities to report the accident. Minor accidents often don’t result in injuries, and property damage can be minimal. However, don’t shake hands with the other driver and go your separate ways; instead, go ahead and report the accident to the police. You’ll need a copy of your accident report to support your property damage claim.
You may also want to get the other driver’s contact and insurance information. However, if tempers are running hot, don’t worry about talking to the other driver. You can get the information from the accident report.
If possible, take photos of your property damage and the accident scene, and iIf you sustain any injuries, go ahead and document those. You should also report the accident to your insurance company, but don’t accept any settlement offers. Your next call should be to an accident attorney.
Receive Compensation for Your Property Damage
Indeed, even minor car accidents can result in property damage, and it’s important to understand that you may have the right to seek compensation for such damages. Contacting an accident attorney can be a critical step in this process.
An attorney can provide a thorough assessment of your case, offer guidance on your legal rights, and help in determining the extent of compensation you may be entitled to. Their expertise is particularly valuable in negotiating with insurance companies and ensuring that your claim is fairly represented and handled, maximizing the chances of a favorable outcome for you.