Does Your Insurance Go Up If You Get Hit in Connecticut?

Car Accidents On Monday, December 9, 2024

Getting hit by a car can be a frustrating experience, especially if the driver who hit you drives away without giving you their information or accepting fault for the accident. At that point, you may be in for a drawn-out legal battle as the police try to find the driver. You will need to deal with your insurance company, which can prove difficult depending on your policy. You may be wondering, “Does your insurance go up if you get hit?” It depends largely on your coverage.

Does Your Car Insurance Go Up If You Get Hit?

Yes, there is a good chance your car insurance will go up if you get hit. A hit-and-run can be a tough situation to find yourself in, even as a victim. If this is just one of multiple accident claims in recent years, your insurance rates will likely increase. Your car insurance rates typically increase whenever you are involved in a car accident. Insurance companies may view any car accident as a potential risk and could decide to increase your premiums on principle.

However, if you maintain uninsured motorist coverage, the accident may not be listed as your fault, and it won’t impact your insurance rates as much. Generally, your accident rates increase more if you are found to be at fault for the accident in question. A hit-and-run in Connecticut could result in severe legal penalties for the driver who hits you and flees the scene. If you are ever involved in an accident, the worst thing you could do is leave the scene.

Statute of Limitations

If you decide to pursue a legal claim against the driver who hit you, it is vital that you pay attention to the state of Connecticut’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims, which include hit-and-run claims. The state will give you two years to gather the evidence to build a case, seek help from an accident lawyer, and file a claim for compensatory damages.

If you are not able to bring your case to fruition before two years have passed, there is a strong chance your claim will be dismissed. Your chance to seek damages for your hit and run will have expired, and you will not be able to obtain compensation from the at-fault party.

What to Do After a Hit-and-Run

Being the victim of a hit-and-run can be a terrible source of stress. The combination of being in a car accident and not being able to legally hold anyone accountable until they’re found can be very overwhelming. Still, you should keep in mind that the actions you take after being in a hit-and-run are going to be reflected in the police report and your accident claim. Here are some steps you can take to make sure your claim is protected:

• Call 911: The very first thing you should do in a hit-and-run accident is call 911. You will want law enforcement to get your side of the story and start pursuing the driver who hit you, and you will want EMTs to check all victims for any injuries.
• Check for Injuries: You should start checking yourself for any injuries as soon as you can. You may be in shock, and the shock may stop you from feeling any injuries. Look for any blood, broken bones, sprains, protrusions, and bruising. Be sure to do the same for any passengers in your car or pedestrians who were involved in the accident.
• File a Claim: You can still file a claim with your own insurance company after a hit-and-run, even if the driver has yet to be caught. You should seek out a personal injury lawyer to help you file that claim and build up a solid case.

FAQs

Q: Does Someone Hitting You Affect Your Insurance?

A: Yes, being hit by another driver can affect your car insurance rates. Being involved in a car accident in any way has the potential to change your insurance rates for the worse. Depending on the sort of coverage you have, your rates may not change all that much, especially if you are found not to be at fault for the accident. You may want to consider changing your policy to cover such eventualities.

Q: Will My Insurance Go Up If I Cause a Car Accident?

A: Yes, your car insurance rates will go up if you cause a car accident. If you are found to be at fault for a car accident, there is a strong chance that your insurance rates will skyrocket. Many insurance companies consider drivers who cause car accidents to be high risk and often raise their premiums to reflect that increase in risk.

Q: How Does Insurance Work When You Get Hit?

A: People carry car insurance as a way to have additional legal and financial protection in the event of a car accident. Depending on the details of the accident and the type of coverage you have, it might not always work the way you want it to. However, it is still better than having no insurance at all, which is illegal in Connecticut. The type of coverage you have determines the extent of your financial protection after an accident.

Q: Will My Insurance Go Up if I Get Hit by an Uninsured Driver?

A: Yes, your car insurance rates will likely go up if you get hit by an uninsured driver, though they usually won’t go up as much as they would if you were making a collision claim. If you carry uninsured motorist insurance, the impact on your insurance rates may be minimal in the event of an accident with an uninsured driver. It depends entirely on your insurance policy and the details of the accident.

Contact an Experienced Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer

The team at Loughlin FitzGerald, P.C. knows the kind of legal help you will need following a hit-and-run. We can help you develop your case, gather evidence, and make sure your interests are protected against insurance companies. Contact us to schedule a consultation and speak with one of our team members.