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Impact of Car Accidents on Driving Record

A car crash can have many long-term consequences, such as previous collisions appearing on your driving record or the collision affecting your auto insurance premium, even if the crash was not your fault.

At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., our Chicago car accident attorneys can help you understand the potential repercussions of a collision. Contact us today for your free, no-obligation consultation.

How Car Crashes Someone Else Caused Impact Your Driving Record

In most cases, a collision caused by another driver will not impact your driving record in terms of fault, as your driving record reflects your driving history. Still, there are ways in which collisions that you did not cause can appear on your driving record, but solely for informational reasons.

For example, all involved parties are typically named in a crash report, meaning a collision you did not cause but were involved in may still appear on your driving record for documentation purposes. However, this is unlikely to directly affect your insurance rates.

How Car Crashes You Cause Impact Your Driving Record

The consequences can directly impact your driving record if you are at fault in a collision. Aside from higher premiums, you could face:

  • Drivers’ License Points – Collisions and traffic offenses can add points to your driver’s license. The Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles determines the number of points based on the type of collision and circumstances.
  • Loss of Discounts – Some insurance companies offer discounts and price breaks on coverage and policy premiums to safe drivers with no collision history. Causing a collision can result in losing these discounts.
  • Policy Non-Renewal – In severe cases, an insurer may not renew your policy when it expires, forcing you to find another insurance provider at an increased cost.

DMV Points vs. Insurance Records

The Illinois DMV and insurance companies keep driver records to assess risk profiles and determine how driving behaviors, including violations, collisions, and infractions, impact road safety. The DMV assigns license points for various infractions, which typically impact premiums.

Too many points on your license can lead to suspension or revocation. Points assigned for common driving infractions that can lead to a collision include:

  • Speeding – 5 to 55 points depending on speed and whether the offense occurs in a school or construction zone
  • Ignoring Traffic Signals – 20 points for traffic light and signal offenses
  • Unsafe Lane Changes – 20 points for various offenses
  • Driving Under the Influence – Immediate driver’s license suspension or revocation for this serious driving offense
  • Reckless Driving – 55 points
  • Tailgating – 25 points

Since your insurance company has access to your driving record, they can see when you’ve accumulated points on your license and may use them to justify increases in your premium.

How Does Accident Forgiveness Work?

Some insurance companies offer accident forgiveness programs as part of their coverage. These programs protect against higher premiums after a first-time collision by excluding the collision from policy cost calculations on your insurance record. Critical elements of accident forgiveness include:

  • Qualification – To qualify, drivers typically must have just one collision on their record rather than several previous collisions.
  • Policy Limits – Accident forgiveness may only apply to one collision per policy, not to every driver listed or covered by the policy. Additionally, collisions involving drunk driving may not qualify for accident forgiveness due to the severity of the offense.
  • Duration – Depending on your policy and insurer, accident forgiveness might be a one-time benefit or may apply for a specific period during which your rates won’t increase.

When Can Car Crashes That Are Not Your Fault Negatively Affect Your Car Insurance Rates?

In most circumstances, if you are not at fault for a collision, your car insurance rates will not increase. Insurance companies look at several factors to determine your rates, including:

  • Accident History – Insurers base their rates on overall risk, and accident history is one factor they use to evaluate risk. A driver with multiple crashes on their record, even if they were not at fault, could face higher rates if the insurance company considers them an at-risk driver.
  • Accident Severity – Every collision is different, and insurers are more likely to forgive those causing minimal property damage than those that result in injuries.
  • Claim History – A collision may not affect your rates, but filing a claim could. Frequently filing claims, regardless of fault, could lead to your insurer viewing you as an at-risk driver and raising your rates.

Some other instances could negatively affect your car insurance rates, including:

  • Multiple Accidents – Having several collisions on your record within a short period, even if you did not cause any of them, can give insurers the impression that you are an unsafe driver, leading to a potential price hike.
  • Uninsured Driver – If the collision involves an uninsured driver, your insurer must pay more, which can lead to higher premiums to cover the increased payment amount.

How Long Do Collisions Stay on Your Record?

Collisions will stay on your record for several years, even if they don’t count toward your premiums. The more severe the collision, the longer it can remain on your record. Various traffic offenses may remain on your driving history for several years or more, including:

  • Moving Violations – These offenses may stay on your record four to five years from the date of the offense.
  • Suspension or Revocation Violations – Offenses involving the suspension or revocation of your license remain on your record for at least seven years.
  • Drug and Alcohol Violations – All drug and alcohol driving offenses remain on a driver’s record permanently.

Contact an Experienced Car Crash Lawyer for Help with Your Claim

If you have a car accident claim but are hesitant to reach out due to concerns about your driving record or insurance premiums, Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. can help. Our car accident lawyers understand how upsetting it can be to worry about the long-term effects of a collision. We are here to listen and stand by your side. Call us today for your free case consultation.