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Why do auto insurance rates rise after an accident?

Insurance companies are risk averse and in the business of making money. These are old companies in it for the long run. They have shareholders to consider, and have to pay out major claims if their covered drivers are found to be at-fault. If you file a claim, you likely have found that your premiums increased. You're not alone. Considering that the rates tend to stay high for about three years after each claim is filed, those rate hikes pretty much pay for the damages you’ve been paying your insurance premiums to cover. It’s almost like the car insurance company is giving you a loan to cover your accident losses that you pay them back for over the years. For more information on why car insurance premiums increase after a claim, click here.

FARS Encyclopedia

The Summary page for the FARS Web Encyclopedia is the first thing that visitors will see when visiting this site. This page contains a random statistic drawn from the Traffic Safety Facts published each year by the DOT, a table listing the traffic fatality statistics from this day last year. The left-hand column on the home page contains a random factoid sample from the "Did You Know?" archives. The "Did You Know?" archives contain interesting and relevant statistics drawn from the Traffic Safety Facts, a compilation of motor vehicle crash data collected by the FARS program. These compilations are published every year by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The first thing accident victims need to do when the other driver doesn't have insurance

We take to the roads throughout Bellingham and Whatcom County trusting that other drivers will have insurance. But that’s not always the case. You can well imagine the protocol as it’s supposed to happen after an accident: get medical attention for any injuries, file a police report, and exchange insurance information with other motorists involved. What happens if that last step can’t be followed because the driver has no insurance, or a policy that simply doesn’t cover all of the damages that occurred? So quickly, an already a stressful time just became even more worrisome. Click to learn more on what to do if the driver who hits you has no insurance.

Don’t be Afraid to File Claims against Uninsured Drivers

Many insured drivers, when involved in a personal injury accident with an uninsured party, are afraid to file a claim for fear of increased insurance premiums or rates. Luckily, under Tennessee law, this cannot happen. Learn more about these claims here...

Amanda Carlton, 38, dead in crash on I-64 in Henrico County, VA

Area:

Richmond-Petersburg, VA

Carlton was driving on I-64 near Airport Drive at about 5:52am when she for some reason slammed into the guardrail before getting struck by a pickup truck. The driver of the pickup truck, identified as Joseph Huggins, 65, was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, but Carlton was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

Bicyclists who are hit by a hit and run driver still have options for financial recovery

A hit and run accident that happens to a bicycle rider is unconscionable. In most accidents between a car and a bike, the bicyclist is the one with the far greater injuries. On a bicycle, you are much more vulnerable to impact than in a car, even at relatively low speeds. If the driver takes off, added to the pain of the injuries is the frustration and anger at that terrible response. Even if the driver who hit you while you were on bicycle is never found, you have options for recovery. Click to learn what they are.

Take this step before you file for uninsured/underinsured motorist protection

A little-know rule called the Hamilton Rule factors into uninsured/underinsured motorist policies. Though very seldom used, it gives insurance companies the right to sue an at-fault driver before the victim would file a claim to recoup their losses. If you don't take this step in the right order, your insurance company deny your claim and pay you nothing. Click to watch this video by Bill Coats Law on taking this necessary step in the claims process.

[VIDEO] A guide to using your uninsured/underinsured motorist protection

It's a step not everyone will have to take, but using your uninsured/underinsured motorist protection means some fairly complicated fine print can affect your claim. Insurers are skilled at looking for ways to reduce your compensation, as it saves their bottom line. Click here for a video series from Bill Coats Law on what you need to know about using your uninsured/underinsured motorist protection.

Tips on keeping pets safe in cars

Pets - 84% of pet owners travel with their pets in automobiles, which can lead to dangerous distractions. For more statistics on distracted driving, and ways to keep pets safe in cars, click here.

One last step of the claims process may mean a big fat check to your health insurance company - signed by you

It's a shocking title for my video about a fairly common policy that takes many accident victims by surprise. For more information on reimbursement, or subrogation, after an auto accident, click here.