Property damage in a car accident refers to the harm caused to any physical belongings. For accident victims, understanding the meaning and scope of property damage is essential. These losses can be significant in car accidents and often have a direct impact on your daily life and finances. Knowing how property damage is defined and evaluated ensures you can properly seek reimbursement and avoid paying out of pocket for someone else’s negligence.
A car accident attorney in St. Louis knows these definitions and regulations — contact us today.
Common Types of Property Damage in Car Accidents
Property damage from a car accident can include a lot of different things.
Vehicle Damage
Most of the property damage in a car accident is to the vehicles involved. This damage can range from very minor cosmetic problems to severe, structural, or even irreparable destruction. Common examples include:
- Cosmetic Damage: Dents, scratches, paint transfer, cracked headlights or taillights, and shattered windows affect the appearance and sometimes the safety of the car.
- Structural Damage: The car’s frame or chassis might get bent or compromised, which can weaken the whole vehicle’s integrity and make future crashes more dangerous
- Mechanical or Component Damage: Even if a vehicle “looks” okay, mechanical parts like the suspension, steering column, wheels, transmission, brakes, or even airbag systems may be damaged by the force of the collision or a direct hit.
- Electronics and Advanced Driver Systems: Newer cars have sensitive electronics including parking sensors, back-up cameras, and automatic emergency braking systems that are easily thrown out of calibration in a crash.
- Total Loss: If repairs equal or exceed your vehicle’s value, it may be declared a total loss. Insurance will typically pay you the fair market value of the car, rather than fixing it.
Every type of vehicle damage should be carefully documented with detailed photos and backed up by at least one professional repair estimate or appraisal conducted after the crash. Even light damage can lower your car’s resale value down the line.
Damage to Personal Belongings Inside the Vehicle
Car accidents often affect more than just the cars themselves; personal property inside your vehicle can also be damaged, destroyed, or even lost at the scene. These losses aren’t just an inconvenience – they can add up financially. Covered items might include:
- Technology: Smartphones, laptops, tablets, GPS devices, headphones, or chargers. The impact of a crash or airbags can easily crack screens and render electronics unusable.
- Child Safety Equipment: Car seats and booster seats must usually be replaced after a collision, even if no visible cracks or damage are seen, as their integrity is likely compromised.
- Eyewear and Personal Accessories: Prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, watches, jewelry, and handbags are common items damaged in an accident.
- Sports and Hobby Equipment: This might include golf clubs, cameras, bikes, musical instruments, gym bags, or other expensive gear you had with you.
- Work or School Items: Briefcases, work tools, presentation materials, backpacks, and textbooks may all be eligible for compensation.
To make a claim for these losses, it helps to locate original receipts, take photos of your items after the accident where possible, and be ready to explain or show how they were affected by the crash.
Who Pays for Property Damage After a Car Accident?
Who pays for property damage after a car accident depends on who caused the crash and what insurance coverage is available.
At-Fault Driver’s Insurance
In Missouri and most states, the at-fault driver’s liability insurance is expected to pay for the damage to your vehicle and any other property losses you can prove, up to their coverage limits. The insurer investigates the facts, reviews submitted evidence, and pays for what they determine you are entitled to.
How Liability Is Determined
Liability in property damage claims is based on fault. If another driver caused the accident, their responsibility (and often their insurance) will cover your repair costs and other losses. Police reports, witness statements, and accident scene evidence help determine who is at fault.
Your Own Insurance (Collision/Comprehensive/Uninsured/Underinsured)
If the other driver is uninsured or underinsured, your coverage may pay for your damages. If you use your insurance, you’ll generally pay your deductible, with possible reimbursement later if the at-fault driver is eventually held responsible.
Filing a Lawsuit if Necessary
When neither insurance policy pays, perhaps due to a dispute about who was at fault, denial of your claim, or low coverage limits, you might need to file a lawsuit against the other party. A successful court claim can order them to cover your losses.
The best way to make sure the appropriate party pays for your losses is to reach out to a St. Louis personal injury lawyer right away. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation so you aren’t left paying for damages that you didn’t cause.