You’re driving along, and suddenly another car swerves into your lane, crashing into you. It happens so fast that you don’t even have time to react. In the blink of an eye, your life has changed. You may be injured, your car may be damaged, and you may be wondering how this is going to affect your car insurance rates.

We understand how devastating a car accident can be. We also know that dealing with insurance companies can be complicated and frustrating. That’s why we’re here to help. We can answer your questions about how a car accident will affect your insurance rates, and we can help you navigate the claims process so that you can focus on recovering.

In general, car insurance goes up after a car accident if you cause it. This is because accidents are considered to be high-risk events. When you get into an accident, your insurance company sees you as a higher risk for future accidents. To offset this risk, your insurer will likely raise your rates.

How much your rates will go up after an accident depends on a number of factors, including the severity of the accident, how clearly you were at fault, and whether anyone was injured. In some cases, your rates may only go up by a few dollars per month. In other cases, they may go up by hundreds of dollars per month.

Will My Rates Go Up Even If I Wasn’t At Fault?

There are two main reasons why your car insurance company will raise your rates even if you weren’t at fault for an accident.

The first is that the other driver’s insurance company will likely raise their rates as well. So even if you weren’t responsible for the accident, you’ll still be sharing some of the cost with them through increased premiums on your policy.

The second reason is that car insurance companies often look at accidents—even those in which they were not involved—as a risk factor when determining how much to charge their customers. In other words, if you’ve been in several accidents within a certain period of time, your insurer may view you as being more likely to get into another one and increase your premium accordingly.

How Can I Lower My Car Insurance Rate?

There are a few things you can do to help offset the increased costs of car insurance after an accident. The first is to shop around for a new insurer that offers good rates and quality coverage.

Another option is to take steps to reduce your risk as a driver, such as going through a defensive driving course or installing safety features in your cars like anti-theft devices or automatic seat belts.

Can Filing a Personal Injury Claim Help? 

If you suffered injuries or property damage in a car accident that was no fault of your own, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the other driver.

By filing this type of claim, you can seek compensation for the financial losses and emotional distress caused by the accident. This can help offset some of the costs associated with higher insurance rates after an accident—including medical bills, lost income from missed work, and vehicle repairs or replacements.