What Happens to Your Car After a Bothell Car Accident?

The aftermath of a car accident is often both terrifying and confusing. Injured drivers may need medical treatment and face questions from the police or insurance adjusters. In the midst of this chaos, many people are left wondering, What happens to a vehicle after a Bothell car accident? It’s not uncommon for those involved to be unsure of where their car has been taken or what condition it’s in.

An experienced car accident attorney from Libby Law can answer this and any other questions you may have during a free consultation.

Is the Car Drivable?

If a vehicle is still operational after the accident in Bothell and the driver is not seriously injured, they may be able to drive the vehicle away from the scene as soon as the investigating officers give them the go-ahead to do so. The owner of the vehicle will then need to report the accident to their own insurance company and either make a claim against their coverage or file a third-party claim against the insurance coverage of an at-fault party.

If the vehicle is not operational or the driver is unable to drive it from the scene due to injuries, the investigating officer will arrange to have it towed from the scene to a tow yard. Either the vehicle owner’s insurer may cover the costs of towing and storing the vehicle, or the at-fault party’s insurance provider will.

Is the Car Repairable?

After a Bothell car accident, the insurance company assigns an estimator to assess the vehicle’s damage and determine the repair costs. Insurers often work with a network of repair facilities for both estimates and repairs, but vehicle owners may choose an authorized shop and receive a check to cover the work. The insurance company typically provides a rental car while the repair shop completes the repairs.

In some cases, the estimator totals the vehicle because the repair costs exceed its actual cash value or the crash compromised its structural integrity, making it unsafe to drive. When this happens, the insurance company typically reimburses the driver for the vehicle’s cash value.

Who Was At Fault?

Washington is a fault state, which means the driver who caused the accident, typically through their liability insurance, must compensate for vehicle repairs and related costs. If another party’s negligence damaged someone’s vehicle, they can file a third-party claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance or use their own collision coverage to pay for the repairs, allowing their insurer to pursue reimbursement from the at-fault party’s insurer.

Contact Libbey Law for More Information About What Will Happen to Your Car After a Bothell Car Accident

Many things need to happen after a car accident to ensure that the driver and their passengers receive proper medical care and vehicle repair services. If you are unsure what happens to a vehicle after a Bothell car accident, you’re not alone. If the crash was caused by someone else’s carelessness and you need guidance on what to do next, contact us for a free case evaluation. We can explore your options, explain the insurance claims process, and outline the services we offer to help.