Drivers across the country experience minor accidents every day. The event is so common that it has the nickname of a fender bender. The small crashes usually involve only minor damage and no injuries, but sometimes the costs rise as the days pass. Any victim tempted to walk away without proof of who was to blame could face a large monetary loss.
Increase in Premium
An innocent driver should never take the blame for an accident, even if they think the damage is too minor to worry about. Make certain the police have an accurate record of the event. Any vehicle damage could mean an insurance claim, and a study from 2015 revealed that one claim to an insurer for $2,000 or more could increase premium costs by 41 percent.
Higher premiums are difficult to reduce. Drivers need to go years with no other claims, they may need to change insurers for better deals, or they may need to reduce their coverage to keep the expense affordable for themselves. The costs may rise even more if the other driver attempts to claim they were the victim.
Cost of Repairs
A small dent to the door or bumper and a few scratches seem minor. The problem is that all repairs take time and they all require some supplies. The repair bill from auto body shops could total much more than expected.
The average cost of a new paint job is about $900 for a low-end repaint on an older vehicle and double the amount for better quality on a newer model. Repairs to a bumper could cost $500 or more. The replacement of the bumper may cost $2,500. A windshield repair could be as little as $100, or it could cost $1,500 if it is a specialty version that must come from the dealer.
The choice to not repair the vehicle will cost the owner too. Vehicles with body damage have less resale value. Any scratch or ding that goes through the paint also makes the vehicle vulnerable to rust.
Expenses During Repairs
Bodywork may take several days to complete. Rideshare services, public transportation, or rental vehicles are often another expense during this time. People may miss time at work as they retrieve or drop off their rental vehicles or when they need to pick up their vehicle at the repair facility.
Rental car costs vary nationally and by company, but the per-day charges can add up quickly. Public transportation schedules could mean less time at home for people using the option for work. The extra time could lead to extra daycare charges for working parents.
Payments to Doctors
Injuries do not always show up immediately after a car accident. Paramedics and police officers at accident scenes encourage medical care for seemingly uninjured vehicle occupants for this reason. Dismissing an accident as a minor issue becomes an obvious mistake 24-hours later when undergoing x-rays and other screenings.
Medical care means transportation to medical appointments, parking, and time lost at work. An injury often includes prescriptions, medical devices or equipment, and physical therapy. An injury could also mean paying someone to mow the lawn or help with children.
Loss of Property
Drivers might not notice broken items in the vehicle until later. The damage could occur to expensive belongings like eyeglasses, a child safety seat, or cell phones or laptops. Sometimes the damage is to upgraded items in the vehicle like better sound systems.
Drivers should always exchange information and contact the police after an accident. The few minutes spent making out a report is protection for the victim. If the car accident is worse than originally expected, the victim has what they need to get compensation. At Ipson Law, we will do all we can to help. Contact us for a free consultation.
Michael is an attorney who started Ipson Law because of his passion for personal injury law. He graduated with a Juris Doctorate degree from McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, CA. Learn more about Michael on our about us page, and contact Ipson Law to find out how we can help you.
