How Much Does Car Insurance Go Up After a Louisiana Accident?

If you’ve recently been involved in a crash, one of the first questions on your mind might be: how much does car insurance go up after a Louisiana accident? While no one can give an exact number, understanding the factors that influence premium changes is critical. Louisiana car accident laws, the details of your car accident claim, and the role of fault all play a part in how insurers assess risk.

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At The Lucky Law Firm, PLC, putting our clients first is at the heart of everything we do. Our team brings nearly thirty years of combined experience, offering strategic, personalized legal representation across Louisiana. You always work directly with your attorney, who guides you through every phase of your case, while our staff remains available day and night for pressing questions.

We believe financial barriers shouldn’t prevent access to justice, which is why personal injury clients pay nothing unless we win. At The Lucky Law Firm, PLC, we combine experience, commitment, and client-centered service to pursue the outcomes our clients deserve.

Why Insurance Rates Vary After an Accident

Given that 2.44 million people were injured in car accidents in 2023 and there was a 6.1% increase in insurance payouts, with non-lethal accidents costing around $162,000 per incident in damages, it’s normal to feel anxious about how much your insurance might increase. The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Insurance companies use complex algorithms to determine how much to increase your premium following a car accident, and some factors could include:

• Claim type. Filing a car accident claim for property damage alone could affect your premium differently than a claim that includes a personal injury.
• Driving history. Your past record of accidents or traffic violations can influence the insurer’s decision.
• Accident severity. Minor fender-benders might not impact your rates as much as major accidents involving injuries or totaled vehicles.
• Insurance company policies. Each insurer weighs risk differently, so two different companies could handle the same accident in very different ways.

Because of these variables, no one can provide a precise number ahead of time. This is why talking to a car accident attorney early in the process can help you understand the broader implications of your situation.

How Fault Impacts Your Premium

In Louisiana, the state follows a comparative fault system. Under this system, each person’s degree of fault is determined as a percentage, which directly affects the allocation of liability and compensation. Once your proportion of fault is determined, your compensation is then reduced based on this percentage. Unfortunately, this system can also influence how insurance companies calculate risk after a car accident.

That means even a minor percentage of fault can influence your rates. It’s also possible that your premium could increase slightly even if you’re mostly not at fault, depending on your insurer’s policies. Working with a car accident attorney can help make sure that fault is fairly assigned under Louisiana car accident laws and that your car accident claim accurately reflects your level of responsibility.

Steps to Potentially Reduce Increases

While you can’t fully control how much your insurance may go up after an accident, being strategic about how you handle your claim can make a difference. Some of the steps you can take include:

1. Making sure your car accident claim is complete and accurate.
2. Some insurers offer discounts for completing approved safety courses.
3. Consider comparing quotes from multiple companies if your premium spikes.
4. Avoid additional accidents or violations, which can compound rate increases.

Partnering with a car accident attorney can further safeguard your interests and provide you with guidance throughout the process, giving you the strongest chance at keeping your insurance costs as manageable as possible.

Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

If you’re unsure about how fault or claims might impact your insurance, it’s wise to hire a car accident lawyer. An experienced attorney can review your case, ensure your rights are protected under Louisiana car accident laws, and help you navigate interactions with insurance companies. From negotiating settlements to verifying accurate fault assignments, lawyers play a key role in preventing unnecessary rate hikes.

FAQs

Can My Car Insurance Increase if I’m Not Listed as the Driver but Was in the Car During an Accident?

Yes, your insurance could be affected even if you weren’t driving. Some policies hold all listed drivers responsible for incidents involving their vehicles. While Louisiana car accident laws focus on liability, insurers might review the overall risk associated with your household. It’s important to communicate clearly with your car accident attorney and insurance provider to understand how policy terms apply to passengers or additional drivers.

Do Insurance Rate Increases Expire Over Time?

Many insurers apply rate increases for a specific period of time, often three to five years, depending on the policy and your driving record. Once this period ends, premiums could return closer to pre-accident levels, provided no additional claims or violations happen. Understanding Louisiana car accident laws and your policy terms can help you anticipate these changes.

How Does Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Coverage Impact My Rates After an Accident?

Using uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage can sometimes affect your premiums differently than a standard liability claim. While this coverage protects you when the other driver lacks adequate insurance, your insurer might still review your car accident claim and driving history when adjusting rates.

Louisiana car accident laws allow you to pursue compensation under these policies, but working with a car accident attorney ensures your claim is documented and can help prevent unjustified premium increases.

Can Your Insurance Go Up if You’re a Victim in a Multi-Car Accident With Unclear Fault?

Yes, even if you’re not primarily at fault, insurers might adjust premiums because of a perceived risk. Multi-car collisions can complicate fault determination, and insurance companies could conservatively apply risk assessments. A car accident attorney can make sure fault is accurately assigned under Louisiana car accident laws and help protect you from unnecessary increases.

Get the Legal Support You Deserve

Navigating insurance after an accident is stressful, and understanding how Louisiana car accident laws affect your situation can be challenging. The Lucky Law Firm, PLC can help. Our team of experienced car accident attorneys has a proven track record of effectively helping clients with their car accident claims.

We ensure your fault is accurately represented, negotiate with insurance companies, and provide legal guidance to protect your rights. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.