It’s common knowledge that if you’re involved in an accident while driving under the influence (DUI), you could face considerable vehicle damage. In some cases, a DUI collision can even put your vehicle completely out of commission. If that’s happened to you, you might be wondering if car insurance will pay for a totaled car in a DUI accident.
According to Los Angeles DUI Lawyers, there are some situations where car insurance will cover damages caused by DUI collisions. However, your exact coverage will depend on your insurance policy’s wording. An experienced lawyer can review your policy and determine if you’re entitled to compensation.
Liability Insurance Might Pay for a Car Totalled in a DUI Accident
If you’re wondering if your car insurance will pay for a car that was totaled in a DUI accident, it’s important to understand that insurers in California are always looking for ways to minimize the amount of money they have to pay for claimants like yourself. However, with a skilled lawyer by your side, you might be able to obtain damages from your liability insurance provider.
Liability insurance can offer coverage to drivers who cause accidents by acting negligently or recklessly. Depending on the level of your negligence, the amount of coverage you receive from your provider will vary. An attorney can review your liability insurance policy and determine if the negligence you demonstrated was too great for you to seek damages.
Your lawyer can negotiate with insurers and argue that, despite your contribution to the collision, you still deserve the compensation you need to pay for your totaled car.
Insurers Can Refuse to Pay for a Totaled Car if They Think You Acted Intentionally
While it’s entirely possible that your liability insurance provider will cover a totaled car after a DUI accident, there’s also a chance that they’ll deny your claim. This may happen if the insurer believes that you acted intentionally during the incident, as insurers don’t offer coverage for intentional collisions.
Intentional Acts and DUIs in Los Angeles
Insurance companies sometimes argue that causing an accident while driving under the influence is an intentional tort or intentional act. For example, your insurance company may claim that you acted intentionally if you:
- Chose to drink alcohol
- Drank until you were impaired
- Decided to drive a vehicle knowing the risks of impaired driving
Many insurance companies will argue that driving while impaired increases the odds that you will cause an accident. Therefore, they will claim that you intentionally put yourself in a situation where you would likely end up in a DUI accident and deny you coverage for your totaled vehicle.
You should know that many insurance companies will at least cover vehicle repairs. This is true even if they argue that you intentionally caused the accident. However, that doesn’t mean they’ll cover personal injury losses or the losses of other drivers in the accident.
Your Insurance Rates May Increase After a DUI Accident in Los Angeles
Even if your car insurance company pays for your totaled car after a DUI accident, you could still suffer negative consequences from the incident. For example, your insurer may choose to raise your rate after a crash caused by your negligence.
It’s important to note that insurance companies can’t raise rates in the middle of a term. In other words, the provider has to wait until your policy ends to increase your rate.
You might not notice any difference in your monthly car insurance payment after your accident, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have to pay more in the future. In the worst-case scenario, your insurance company could cancel your policy after a DUI collision.
Other Consequences You Could Face After a DUI Collision
The state of California takes DUI accidents very seriously. As a result, you may face charges and serious consequences after an impaired driving collision. If you’re found guilty of driving while intoxicated, you could suffer the following consequences:
- License suspension or revocation
- Fines as high as $5,000
- Up to four years of imprisonment
How a Lawyer Can Help You Avoid DUI Penalties
You can face serious repercussions if you are accused of causing a DUI accident in California. Fortunately, a Los Angeles DUI attorney can represent you and argue that you did not drive under the influence and that you were not to blame for the accident that totaled your vehicle.
It’s important to remember that even if you were driving under the influence, it doesn’t necessarily mean you were at fault for the accident. Another driver could have operated their vehicle recklessly or broken the rules of the road, causing the collision.
Showing that someone else caused the accident could help you get the necessary coverage to repair or replace your vehicle. Here’s what a lawyer can do to determine who is at fault and protect you from a life-altering DUI conviction:
- Investigate the accident and gather evidence that speaks to your innocence
- Challenge the accuracy of field sobriety tests
- Investigate the arresting officer’s conduct
- Negotiate a plea bargain with prosecutors
- Develop a strong defense strategy and represent you in court
- Use witness testimony and convincing legal arguments to win your case
- Appeal a DUI conviction
- Answer any questions you have about your case or the legal process
How to Find the Right DUI Lawyer in Los Angeles
When you are facing DUI charges in California, you need the right DUI attorney on your side. Do not settle for a public defender or attempt to represent yourself. There is too much at stake, including your freedom, your ability to drive, and much more, to put your case in the hands of someone who doesn’t have the right experience.
When looking for the right DUI lawyer, be sure to ask the following questions during your initial consultation:
- How long have you been defending clients facing DUI charges in Los Angeles?
- What is your success rate when it comes to having charges dismissed or reduced?
- Will you handle all communication with the prosecution on my behalf?
- How often will we need to meet or talk about the case?
- Do you have experience fighting charges in my jurisdiction and with the prosecutor assigned to my case?
When faced with a DUI charge, you need the most experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side. Talk to a DUI attorney in Los Angeles today about your options. The sooner you schedule an appointment, the sooner the attorney can begin to build a defense against the charges levied against you.
Talk with a Lawyer if Your Car Was Totaled in a DUI Accident
Determining whether car insurance will pay for a car totaled in a DUI accident can be tricky. To get the accurate legal advice required to file a claim, you’ll want to speak with an attorney ASAP. A lawyer can also help you build a strong defense against any DUI charges you’re facing after the incident.
Contact a Los Angeles DUI lawyer today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal options. We’ll provide the resources and information you need to understand your case and move forward with confidence. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
