Automobile insurance protects you from the consequences of an automobile accident, such as being sued by the other driver or being involved in an uninsured motorist accident. If you are at fault in an accident, your insurer will also cover the damages incurred by the other driver. But what about the expenses associated with employing a lawyer?
You may be wondering if your insurance covers legal expenses following an accident. The simple answer is sometimes, as it largely depends on the facts of the case and who was at fault. Consult a Boston personal injury lawyer to learn more.
Car insurance mostly covers damages resulting from an accident.
If you are involved in an accident, and the other motorist is judged to be at fault, their insurance company will pay for your damages. Damages are the costs and damages you incur as a result of an automobile accident, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Vehicle repairs or replacement
- Pain and suffering
If, on the other hand, you are determined to be at fault in an accident, your car insurance will cover the damages incurred by the other driver. If you are determined to be at fault or involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, this policy covers you.
How are attorney fees paid?
Who pays for the attorney is usually determined by your circumstances and your level of fault in the accident. For example, if you are at least 50% to blame in an automobile accident, you are the accountable party. You may be entitled to reimbursement if you have less than 50%.
If you are the liable party, your insurance company may cover the cost of your lawyer. However, this is not always the case, so consult your lawyer and insurance company. Certain conditions may require you to pay for some or all of your legal expenses.
If you were not to blame for the collision, you must pay your legal fees to sue the other motorist. However, you will not have to spend anything out of pocket when you work with most law companies. Instead, they accept contingency fees, which are deducted from a percentage of your settlement.
Legal fees can be covered by car insurance.
In some situations, your car insurance may cover the cost of a lawyer. For example, if the other motorist sues you after an accident, your auto insurer has a “duty to defend” you under their liability insurance policy. They may pay for an attorney to defend you if you are sued after the accident under those terms. However, there are several situations in which you may not be covered.
