How long does a car accident stay on your record? A standard car accident can stay on your record with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or an insurance claims history report for years.
To find out more, talk with a Salt Lake City car accident lawyer from Siegfried & Jensen.
There’s a Difference in Terms of How Long an Auto Accident Stays on Your Driving Record and Your Insurance Record
Generally, how long a car accident can stay on your record is based on whether this information is being tracked by the DMV or your auto insurance provider. A Salt Lake City personal injury lawyer with auto accident case experience can provide insights into how much time the incident will stay on your record under various circumstances.
Depending on the situation, the DMV can track minor auto accidents for several years. In some cases, the DMV will keep a criminal offense on a record permanently.
An insurance company can retain information about an accident for years after it took place. The business uses this information to calculate insurance rates and determine someone’s eligibility for coverage.
Siegfried & Jensen has served over 35,000 clients, including those who’ve been harmed in auto collisions caused by negligent parties. If you want legal guidance and support in the aftermath of a car accident, we are here for you. Reach out to us today.
For a free legal consultation, call (801) 266-0999
Many Factors Can Dictate the Timeline for How Long a Car Accident Remains on Your Record
The personal injury attorneys at Siegfried & Jensen can address your concerns and questions about what can determine how long a car accident can remain on your record. Below are details about some of these factors:
- Fault: If you are at fault for an auto accident, the incident can stay on your record for a long time and affect your premiums for the foreseeable future. This can be the case even if you meet the vehicle insurance requirements of Utah or elsewhere.
- Accident severity: An accident in which there is significant property damage, injuries, or fatalities can have substantial legal and insurance ramifications.
- Criminal charges: Alcohol- and drug-related driving convictions can remain on public and driving records for many years and, in some cases, permanently.
If someone else is liable for your auto collision, now is the time to examine the specifics of your situation with an auto accident attorney. Your lawyer can discuss the common types of car accidents in Utah and other legal topics with you. If warranted, they can help you build a case to seek compensation from the liable party or their insurer.
How Insurance Companies Use Car Accident Records
If you file an insurance claim for a car accident, your insurer can investigate the incident. The adjuster will want to know what happened, who is liable, and whether you and other parties involved in the incident have suffered losses. After your case is resolved, the incident can stay on your record for years.
How long a car accident will stay on your record should not stop you from reporting the incident to your insurer. For example, if you file a claim for a multi-vehicle collision, your insurance company will investigate. If your insurer finds you are not at fault for the multi-vehicle crash, the accident is unlikely to affect your rates. Siegfried & Jensen can answer your questions about fault and partial responsibility.
On the other hand, if you are found to be liable for several accidents, your insurance company will use your record to decide whether to offer coverage.
Your insurer can also utilize your record to justify a decision to increase your premiums. Or, if you are a safe driver, your record can help you get lower premiums over time.
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At-Fault and Not-at-Fault Accidents Are Treated Differently on Insurance Company Car Accident Records
If you get into a car accident and someone else is found to be at fault, your insurance company will still include this incident on your record. How long the car accident stays on your record is based on your insurance company’s policies. Regardless, the incident should have little to no effect on what you pay for auto insurance.
Alternatively, if you are found liable for an auto accident, this incident will remain on your insurance company’s record for a set period. Since you are at fault, the incident has the potential to impact your insurance coverage and rates moving forward.
The car crash lawyers at Siegfried & Jensen can help you prove that a motorist or another party is liable for your auto accident. As part of our efforts, we can collect crash-scene photos, witness statements, and other evidence to dispute any claims made against you.
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How to Reduce the Impact of How Long a Car Accident Will Remain on Your Record
At Siegfried & Jensen, we encourage safe driving in Utah and across the United States. Our personal injury attorneys want to help you minimize how long an auto accident will remain on your record. We offer the following tips to help you reduce the impact of a car accident on your record:
- Maintain a clean driving record and do your part to avoid additional accident claims, tickets, or traffic violations.
- Ask your insurance company about accident forgiveness, which can prevent your insurer from increasing your rates after a qualifying first accident.
- Take a defensive driving course, as insurance companies may offer discounts to policyholders who do.
If you want to file a lawsuit against someone who caused your auto collision, we want to help. Our lawyers can examine your accident and determine who is at fault. Next, we can help you seek compensation for your tangible and intangible accident losses.
The Bottom Line on How Long a Car Accident Is Going to Stay on Your Record
Expect an accident to remain on your record for years, no matter who is at fault. At Siegfried & Jensen, our lawyers can give you information about how long an auto collision is going to stay on your record.
Plus, we can guide you through the process of filing a car crash claim or lawsuit. Contact us to learn more.
Call or text (801) 266-0999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
