One of the most common things we hear after a car accident is:
“I don’t want to make a claim. I don’t want to hurt the other driver.”
It’s understandable. Nobody wants to feel like they are causing financial hardship for someone else. But there’s an important distinction to understand:
In most personal injury claims, you are pursuing the insurance policy, not the person.
Drivers are required to carry automobile insurance precisely because accidents happen. When someone is injured because of another driver’s negligence, liability insurance exists to provide coverage for the resulting claim.
And contrary to a common misconception, making a personal injury claim generally isn’t what causes the other driver’s insurance premiums to increase. The accident itself is what matters.
Insurance companies assess risk based on factors such as a driver’s accident history and driving record. Whether an injured person ultimately pursues a claim does not turn an otherwise non-existent accident into an accident. The collision has already happened.
Think of it this way: the insurance policy was purchased to provide protection when something like this happens. Using that insurance after an accident is not “punishing” the other driver. It is using the coverage that exists for exactly this purpose.
That doesn’t mean every accident needs to become a lawsuit. It does mean you shouldn’t feel guilty about seeking compensation for injuries you didn’t cause.
You can have compassion for the other driver and take care of yourself.
After the policy. Not the person.
At Correia & Collins, our New Brunswick personal injury lawyers help people understand their rights after a motor vehicle accident, even when the insurance situation is more complicated than expected.
Correia & Collins represents accident victims. Contact us by phone at 506-648-1700 or online for advice. Your first consultation is free.
Talk Directly to an Experienced Injury Lawyer, Today.
Human rights and helping others has always been a passion of mine. In high school, I took human rights courses. At St. Thomas University, it was one of my undergraduate majors. Eventually, I channelled my passion into a career in law. Today, I value the significance my services have in making my clients’ lives easier. Helping them navigate the insurance and legal systems and guiding them during a challenging time is a priority and a privilege for me.