If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Texas, you might be worried about how long the accident will remain on your driving record and how it will impact your car insurance rates. In Texas, accidents generally stay on your record for three to five years. The period can vary based on factors specific to your case.
Car insurance companies can get accident records from various sources and use this information to adjust auto insurance rates. The Texas Department of Transportation maintains detailed crash reports. In Texas, a law enforcement officer must create an accident report if a crash results in injury, death, or $1,000 or more in property damage. The officer investigating the accident completes and submits a crash report to the Texas Department of Transportation within ten days of the crash.
While the accident is on your driving record, your insurance company will be aware of the incident and may use it to increase your insurance premiums.
The Texas Department of Public Safety maintains comprehensive driving records for all licensed drivers in the state, including the following information:
Car accidents will generally stay on your driving record for three to five years in Texas. However, if the accident was particularly severe, it may remain on your accident for longer, such as if it resulted in injuries, fatalities, or significant damage. Additionally, if you were not at fault in the accident, it may remain on your driving record for less time. Insurance companies’ specific policies regarding the underwriting process can also affect how long the insurance company looks back and considers accidents, particularly if severe violations are involved.
How a car accident may impact your driving record depends on many factors, such as:
If you have multiple at-fault accidents within a short period of time, your insurance company will likely view you as a high-risk driver and dramatically increase your premiums for a longer period of time. In contrast, if you have a good driving record and the accident was an isolated incident, it may not have as significant an impact on your insurance rates.
Accidents in which you are not found at fault will generally not impact your car insurance rates. Additionally, some insurance companies offer accident forgiveness, in which they do not count the first accident against you when assigning insurance rates.
Understanding how long a car accident will remain on your insurance record in Texas is essential for managing the long-term consequences involved with these incidents. An experienced San Antonio car accident attorney from The Aguirre Law Firm, PLLC can help you navigate the impact of accidents on your driving history and insurance premiums and fight to hold the at-fault party responsible for the full extent of your damages. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your case with an experienced attorney.
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