There are certain situations where people are naturally going to assume that a person is at fault in a car crash. Some of that decision rests on your driving record. So, when your Columbia car accident lawyer learns that you have a bad driving record, they only have a couple of options. They can hold firm, insisting that you were the innocent victim, or they can try to settle the case. Odds are, they’ll end up working something out with the other side. Call as soon as you can after you crash so you can set up your free, initial consultation.
Do You Have Prior Car Accidents on Your Abstract?
If people are not careful drivers, they’ll liable to get into a car accident. Columbia car accident lawyers talk to clients all the time who worry their past record will ruin their case. In order to collect damages, your attorney must prove two things. First, they must prove the defendant was at fault.
If someone was high or drunk at the time of the crash, it’ll be hard for them to argue that they weren’t at fault. The same is true if someone slams into you from behind. It’s not easy to convince anyone that the rear-driver didn’t cause the crash. If your attorney can prove the other driver was at fault, they still need to prove that you suffered damages. They can only do this if you were hurt.
If your attorney can prove negligence on the part of the defendant and damages, it shouldn’t matter what your history is. It all comes down to the facts of your case. Your Columbia car accident lawyer will do their best to prove your case. Ideally, they’ll be able to get the insurance company to pay your claim. If that isn’t possible, they may be able to settle your case. The last thing anyone wants is to go to trial.
How Many Auto Claims Have You Filed in the Past?
When you file an insurance claim, your information becomes visible to all insurance agents and insurance adjusters. If you have filed several claims against your own policy. There is proof of that. If you get into a car accident and file a claim against the other driver, they’ll see what’s in your history. If it’s unclear who was at fault, it’s only natural that they’ll assume you caused the crash. That doesn’t mean that having a perfect driving record guarantees you’ll win your lawsuit. But when it comes between one person with three prior accidents and another with a perfect record, it’s no secret who the courts will believe.
Columbia Car Accident Lawyer Will Try to Keep Abstract Out
If you let your Columbia car accident lawyer know about your driving history, they can try to plan around it. They’ll look at your driver’s abstract and see if you have any prior accidents. Any accident or incident is going to show up on your abstract. The person processing your claim will look to see what’s on your history. For example, if you had a couple of speeding tickets 3-5 years prior, it shouldn’t hurt your case all that much. However, if you have several car accidents on your record, it can certainly impact your case. It’s a good idea to call and talk to a skilled Columbia car accident lawyer as soon as possible after your crash.
Call and Talk to a Skilled Columbia Car Accident Lawyer
There are people in this world who are clumsy. There is also such a thing as a bad driver, no matter what a driving record says. However, just because you have a bad driving record doesn’t mean you caused this crash. It can be hard convincing an insurance adjuster that you didn’t cause the accident if you’ve been in half a dozen accidents before. It may be hard to convince a judge or jury of that as well. The good news is that your Columbia car accident lawyer won’t let it get that far. Most car accident cases settle long before they go to trial. Trials are an absolute last resort.
To get things started, call our office and schedule a free, initial consultation. Sit down with someone who’s handled dozens of cases just like yours. If you have a terrible driving record, let your Columbia car accident lawyer know upfront. They’ll find out eventually anyway. It’s better to be straightforward than to wait until it comes up in your case. Call our office and talk to someone who can set up a date and time that works for you.