What if I got into a car accident in Tucson, Arizona and someone sues me, what if I think the car accident is my fault, should I say so?

Bryan

Tucson, AZ

The Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) wants to make sure that everyone on its roads is protected and safe. For that same reason, it requires that all vehicles, including motorcycles, mopeds, and golf carts, be covered with liability insurance from a company that is authorized to provide the service in Tucson, Arizona.

If you get sued, contact your insurance agent and your lawyer right away. Normally, your car insurance company will assign a lawyer to handle your case. But, if you are sued for more money than the coverage of your policy, you may need your own attorney too. In addition, car insurance company lawyers do not handle traffic citations or criminal cases, such as hit and run charges. If you have been charged with a crime and cannot afford a lawyer, call your county’s Public Defender. You may qualify for free assistance, depending on your income.

If you have been involved in a car accident, do not volunteer any information about whose fault the accident was. You may think you are at fault and then later find out that the other driver is as much or more to blame than you are. Before taking and admitting your fault, you should first talk to your car insurance agent, your lawyer or both before taking the blame. If you confess anything to the police or the other driver it can be used against you in the court. Do not agree to pay for car damages or sign any paper except a traffic ticket until you check with your car insurance company or your lawyer.

I got into a car accident in Davenport, IA where an insured motorist ran a red light and totaled my car. I did not have car insurance at the time which I got ticketed for since it is an Iowa law, but I was just switching policies. Will this make a difference in the at fault party’s insurance paying for my medical bills and my car damages?

Judith

Davenport, IA

The state of Iowa does not have a compulsory insurance law but does require motorist to be financially responsible for car accident damage or injury. This means that Davenport, Iowa motorists are not required to carry Iowa car insurance, but if they do not they will need to provide another form of financial responsibility such as a bond. According to Iowa law, motorists that choose to provide proof of financial responsibility with Iowa car insurance must be covered for bodily injury and property damage liability. The minimum amount of these coverage’s allowed is 20/40/15. This represents that you must carry $20,000 for bodily injury per person, $40,000 for bodily injury per accident and $15,000 for property damage per accident.

The Iowa Financial and Safety Responsibility Act law protects Iowa drivers by suspending the driving and registration privileges of any individual who has not been able to provide financial responsibility following an accident. It also makes sure that any individual who had his/her driving privileges suspended or revoked because of certain convictions, an unsatisfied judgment, or a violation of implied consent laws, will be able to financially compensate others for future damages or injuries that the driver may cause. Even though you may be facing hefty penalties for being without insurance at the time of the accident, since you were not at fault, normally you would be able to make a claim with the at-fault party’s liability policy for your injuries and the car’s damages. I suggest you check with their insurer on how you would go about making your insurance claim.