What Does Liability Insurance Cover If You’re Not at Fault?

Liability insurance protects drivers who are at fault for vehicle collisions in Louisiana by covering the costs of injuries and damages, rather than the driver having to pay for them out of pocket. However, when you’re not responsible for an accident that you were involved in, you may be asking yourself, “What does liability insurance cover if you’re not at fault?”

Understanding liability insurance in Louisiana and across the country is crucial if you’re ever involved in a crash.

The Cost of Vehicle Collisions

In 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported over 6.14 million vehicle accidents in the U.S. Car accidents can be incredibly costly, especially when incidents leave victims with long-term injuries and prevent them from working.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported 1,917,640 emergency department visits in the U.S. that resulted from motor vehicle injuries in 2023. These visits led to an average of $5,559 in medical costs per person and an average of $98,153 in total costs per person, which included work loss costs and loss of quality of life.

The CDC also reported 328,969 hospitalizations for passengers who were injured in cars while others were driving. These injuries cost the average passenger $77,386 alone in medical costs. Given the substantial costs that can come with being injured in an accident, it’s crucial that you know what steps to take to help yourself financially recover if you’re ever hurt in a collision.

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What Damages Can You Recover From an At-Fault Driver’s Liability Insurance?

When you are able to hold another driver liable for an accident in Louisiana, you could recover the following damages from their liability insurance:

• Medical Expenses. When you are injured in a car collision, there may be numerous medical costs associated with your injury. This could include transportation to the hospital, surgeries, ED visits, hospital stays, prescription medication, medical devices, mobility aids, and long-term physical therapy. All of your current and expected medical costs could be covered with a successful claim.
• Lost Income. When you can’t work because of your injuries, a successful claim could recover the wages you should have earned during that time. Your injuries may have also caused a permanent impact on your work, such as requiring you to change jobs, limiting the amount you are able to do, or preventing you from being gainfully employed at all. In these cases, you could recover the missing income you should have earned.
• Property Damages. Accidents can lead to significant vehicle damage, as well as damage to other important personal property like phones, glasses, and jewelry. An insurance claim could recover the cost of repairing your property or replacing it.
• Pain and Suffering. These and other non-economic damages recover the physical, mental, and psychological impact that an accident and injuries cause. These damages could include emotional trauma, physical pain, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and other intangible damages.

Liability insurance cannot always recover the full total of your damages. You are capped by the coverage limits of the at-fault driver. If the total of your damages goes over their insurance coverage limits, you likely cannot recover more. Working with an experienced car accident lawyer gives you the strongest chance of maximizing damages and securing the most compensation possible in your unique situation.

FAQs

Does Liability Insurance Cover Your Car If You’re Not at Fault in Louisiana?

Liability insurance applies only to the damages that other drivers incur when you are at fault, so it would not cover damages to your own vehicle. In a fault state, you can recover damages from injuries or vehicle damage by filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance. In a no-fault state, you need to have collision coverage or another form of insurance coverage to cover these losses. Otherwise, you pay out of pocket.

How Can a Car Accident Lawyer in Louisiana Help After You’re Injured?

If you were injured by a negligent driver in Louisiana, an experienced car accident attorney can provide you with invaluable legal aid and help you secure justice. A skilled attorney can help you collect powerful evidence and file a strong claim, negotiate on your behalf with insurers, represent you in front of judges, and fight to ensure you are paid what you are rightfully owed.

Do I Need to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Louisiana If I’m Not Responsible for an Accident?

It is incredibly beneficial to hire a car accident lawyer in Louisiana, even if you’re not at fault for an accident. Insurance companies may still try to claim you were to blame to avoid paying you full compensation. An attorney can assess your injuries and the full extent of your losses, which allows you to challenge settlement offers that are insufficient and negotiate for the compensation you are owed.

Does Your Car Insurance Go Up After an Accident That Isn’t Your Fault in Louisiana?

Whether your insurance rates go up after an accident you didn’t cause depends on the state you’re in and the insurance company you have. Some states have laws making it illegal to increase your insurance rates after accidents that were not your fault. This is the case in Louisiana. If your rates go up, you could challenge this. Other states don’t have these laws, so your rates could increase even if you were not found at fault.

Find a Skilled Accident Attorney in Louisiana

At Blake Jones Law Firm, LLC, we have more than 50 years of legal experience in injury law. When you bring your case to us, we put your needs first. We know how overwhelming it can be to deal with the aftermath of an auto accident in Louisiana, especially when you aren’t sure how insurance and personal injury laws apply. Our firm can help you understand your options for financial recovery and pursue a path toward maximum compensation.

We have secured many successful settlements and verdicts for auto accidents across the state. Contact our firm today to learn more about our car accident injury services and how we can help you pursue justice.