Have you ever wondered what happens to those high-speed police car chases that end with the suspect crashing into a house? It has probably never crossed your mind because such incidents are not commonplace like other types of accidents. A car slamming into your house is a rare occurrence but that does not mean that it cannot happen. Let’s Learn what happens when a car slams into your home.
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A majority of these accidents are a result of distracted driving, suspects escaping from the police, older drivers, dizziness, prescription drugs, vehicle malfunction, and feeling fatigued while behind the wheel.
So, what steps should you take after this? Who pays for the damages to your house and other property like a car? What if the accident injured a person as well? This is what you can expect and steps to take when someone crashes into your house.
Table of Contents
Who Is Liable?
In such cases, liability lies with the negligent or party that caused the accident. The driver who slammed into your home is liable for all the damages.
Property damage can run into thousands of dollars and it’s crucial to find the responsible party to prove negligence on their part.
- First, you have to show they owed you a duty of care to drive safely and avoid harm, especially in residential areas.
- Second, the driver must have breached this duty either by driving while intoxicated, using their phone, driving a malfunctioning vehicle, or other forms of negligence on the road.
- Next, prove that the damage in question was caused by the accident, and provide concrete proof of the damages.
- Then, you must show that the damages caused you losses, either financial or otherwise.
If all these sounds too complicated to comprehend, a car accident attorney can explain and even do most of the heavy lifting for you.
Seeking Compensation
The law allows you as the homeowner to seek compensation for all the damages and losses suffered after a vehicle crashes into your home. Here, you have a couple of options.
Driver’s Auto Insurance
Most states have made it compulsory for drivers to carry liability cover on their car insurance policy. This provides cover in the event of a crash that results in bodily injuries and property damage to other parties.
To start the process, you’ll have to notify the driver and their insurance company that you plan to file a claim against their policyholder. Sometimes, your car accident attorney and insurance adjuster might agree on an amount that fully covers your damages without a lawsuit. If not, you might need to file a lawsuit or even go to trial.
Your Home Insurance Coverage
Normally, the property damage clause has a maximum limit up to which it can cover the policyholder. If your loss exceeds this amount, consider contacting your home insurance company. This also comes in handy when the driver in question is uninsured.
The amount you receive through this coverage usually depends on the specifics of your policy. A typical plan covers a private residence against damages from things like fire, theft, natural disasters, vandalism, and sometimes, car crashes.
What if the Car Hit Someone as Well?
If a car runs into your house and injures someone or causes wrongful death, you might need to file a personal injury lawsuit as well. This will cover damages including medical bills, lost wages, and emotional suffering. A wrongful death claim, on the other hand, is filed against the negligent party by a next of kin or parties who depended on the deceased. It offers compensation for things like funeral expenses, loss of inheritance, and medical bills, if any, for more information about your rights, contact hit and run accident lawyer.
Depending on circumstances surrounding the crash, you can also file for punitive damages, especially if the driver was intoxicated or escaping the police.
