Sometimes our closest friends make the silliest mistakes and even more serious errors that can cost you money. When your friend crashes your car, you might be responsible for covering the car damage in some situations. When you speak to an attorney, you can learn whether your friend or the other party holds liability. This way, you can receive compensation for all the damages done to your car if your friend was not at fault.
When your friend is at fault, you may have to cover the costs. This is entirely dependent on your friend’s insurance and your own car insurance policy. A reputable law firm can consult with you and inform you about what you can do if your friend crashes your car.
Find Out Who’s at Fault
Work with an attorney to find out who was at fault after your friend crashed your car. Depending on the situation, you may want to file an insurance claim, or in a worst case scenario a lawsuit, against the other party. Your attorney can investigate on your behalf and discover who the liable party is. Even if your friend crashed your car, it could have happened for many reasons. For example, perhaps the road had many potholes or another driver swerved into them. In these cases, liability can be held against the other party.
In Chicago, Your Insurer Covers Them
In the state of Illinois, auto insurance follows the car and not the person. This means that regardless of who is driving the car, it is the auto policy covering the car that must cover repairs. If your friend is at fault, you would have to seek a settlement against them separately to pay for the damages that they incurred.
Ask Your Friend to Cover The Damages They Caused
If your car is salvageable, try to get an estimate for repairs before any work is done. Before you accept any settlement from your insurance company, ask your friend for help. Your friend may be glad to pay for the damages out-of-pocket if they were at fault. In this case, make sure it’s your friend and not the insurance company that is on the hook for paying for repairs.
Call Your Insurance Company
You’d have to pay out of pocket if your friend was at fault. If you have comprehensive coverage, you will likely be able to use that for your repairs.
Pay Out of Pocket
Shop around for a good deal on repairs from different mechanics. Do your best to negotiate rates with several shops. Repairs can cost a lot of money so take some time to do your research to get the best price.
Get an Attorney’s Guidance as Soon as Possible After Hearing About Your Crashed Car
There may be a number of reasons why it is important to speak to an attorney about your friend crashing your car. For one, if you are not at fault for the accident, it can be helpful to have legal representation. Your attorney will help you navigate the insurance claims process and any potential litigation. Additionally, an attorney can provide expert advice on how to get your car repaired or replaced, and can help you understand your rights and options in this situation. Whether your car was damaged or totaled in the crash, speaking to a lawyer will ensure that you are getting the best possible outcome for your situation.
