In the pain and stress following a car accident, you may not consider how your driving record could affect your claim for compensation. However, past accidents and traffic violations could significantly impact your case. Even if your past traffic tickets are irrelevant to your claim’s circumstances, the insurance company could use your driving record to deny or devalue your claim.
If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident in Pennsylvania, it is vital to contact a reliable car accident attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney will review every detail of your case and your driving history to advise you on the best course of action moving forward.
What Is Considered a Poor Driving Record in Pennsylvania?
Your driving record consists of the history of your traffic violations, accidents, and points on your license. A pattern of these things on your driving record could negatively impact your chances of fair compensation. However, if the other driver has a poor driving record, it may work in your favor to establish their negligence. Criminal traffic violations have the most significant impact on an accident claim. Some examples of criminal traffic violations in Pennsylvania include:
- Driving without a license
- Reckless driving
- Leaving the scene of an accident
- Fleeing from a police officer
- Drag racing
- Vehicular homicide
- Aggravated assault by vehicle
If you have a criminal traffic violation or a history of frequent tickets and accidents, it is essential to disclose this information with your attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney will then prepare counter arguments for if the insurance company attempts to deny or devalue your claim.
How the Insurance Company May Use Your Driving Record Against You
The insurance company may use your driving to assert that you were at fault for the accident. For example, if speeding is a factor in your case, a frequent history of speeding tickets could be used to establish a pattern of behavior. On the other hand, if the accident had nothing to do with speeding, the insurance company would have a much harder time using your tickets against you.
In Pennsylvania, a person has the right to compensation as long as they were less than 50% responsible for the accident. The insurance company may suggest that a pattern of accidents or tickets could indicate that you bore equal responsibility for the accident, devaluing your claim. An experienced car accident attorney will know how to defend against these tactics to protect your right to compensation.
Contact a Highly-Qualified Pennsylvania Car Accident Attorney
If you are unsure how your driving record will affect your claim, it is essential to partner with a seasoned car accident attorney. The trusted attorneys at Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg, and Gifford, P.C. have dedicated their careers to helping their clients stand up to insurance companies and achieve justice. We have over 60 years of experience achieving favorable outcomes for clients like you across Pennsylvania. To schedule a free consultation and learn more about how our skilled legal team can help you, give us a call at (215) 822-7575 or complete our contact form today.
