How Does My Driving Record Affect My Car Accident Claim?

If you have been injured in a vehicle accident, it is likely that you are focused solely on the damage caused by that particular crash.  You are probably not thinking about that speeding ticket you had three years ago or how someone filed a claim against you for hitting their bumper in a parking lot.  However, your driving record can have an impact on your personal injury claim, and it is important to understand how and why this can happen.

Why Do Old Driving Issues Affect My Current Claim?

The fact is that whenever an accident claim is filed, an insurance company is probably going to have to pay money.  Insurance companies, contrary to popular opinion, are not really in business to provide people with coverage; they are, instead, for-profit ventures designed to make money for their owners and shareholders.  Therefore, every time a claim is filed, it is in the insurance company’s best interests to avoid paying the damages if possible.  If an insurance company can save money on a large personal injury settlement, it will definitely do so.

One way that the companies do this is by scanning the Department of Motor Vehicle records continuously.  Insurance companies know that when they can find evidence of a speeding ticket or small accident caused by someone they insure, they have a legitimate reason to raise the rates on their customers.  This is why your insurance rates often go up after a minor infraction.  If you have a major claim, your insurance company may drop your coverage altogether after paying your claim.

This phenomenon is even more evident when the insurance company must pay money for someone who is not their client.  They will often try every means possible to avoid paying that money, including digging up dirt on the victim.  If the insurance company investigators can find any evidence that the victim had speeding tickets, accidents, or DUI charges, they will certainly use that information to try to cast doubt on the victim’s claim that the accident was someone else’s fault.  They will often try to frighten the victim into a quick settlement with this information, suggesting that the victim may lose everything if he or she does not settle quickly.  Victims who do not have the benefit of a strong personal injury attorney on their side may be frightened enough to settle for a sum that is far less than their cases are worth.

At Barber & Associates, we have been protecting the interests of personal injury victims for many years in the face of pressure from insurance companies.  We understand how confusing and frightening this time can be, and we want to help you navigate the threats posed by insurance companies and others as you pursue your claim.  Give us a call today to speak to one of our caring professionals, and start claiming the compensation you deserve due to your accident, including medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages.

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