How Long Does an At Fault Accident Stay on Your Record in Texas?

Getting into a car accident is stressful. But the trouble doesn’t always stop once the crash is over, especially if it was your fault.

In Texas, being “at fault” means you caused the accident. This could affect your driving record, insurance rates, and even your wallet. So, how long does an at fault accident stay on your record in Texas? Let’s find out what happens after a crash and how you can handle the impact.

Understanding Fault in Texas Car Accidents

Texas is a fault state, which means the person who caused the accident has to pay for the damages.

When you’re involved in an accident, insurance companies, police reports, and sometimes even the courts look at what happened. They decide who is responsible based on the facts. This is called determining fault in an accident.

If you’re found at fault, it goes on your driving record in Texas. This can lead to higher insurance premiums and other issues. Your insurance provider may also increase your car insurance rate.

How Long Does an At-Fault Accident Stay on Your Record in Texas?

So, how long does an at fault accident stay on your record? In Texas, it usually stays for three to five years.

But there’s more than one kind of record:

• Driving record, Texas (DPS): This is the record kept by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). It usually includes accidents, traffic violations, DUI, and citations. An accident can remain on this for three to five years, depending on the severity of the accident.
• Insurance record: This is what your insurer uses. Most insurance companies keep accidents on your insurance record for about three years. This affects how they set your auto insurance premium.

So, depending on your state laws, an accident on your driving record could remain on your record for several years. This is what we call the accident history duration.

How At-Fault Accidents Affect Your Insurance

When you cause a car accident, your insurance rates may go up. This is because insurers think you might be a risky driver.

A typical insurance policy will raise your premium for about three years after an at-fault crash. Some car insurance companies offer “accident forgiveness,” but not always in Texas.

Here’s how your insurance record impact can play out:

• A recent accident can lead to higher premiums
• Some insurers offer discounts if you take a driving course or use telematics to show safe driving
• If you don’t have a clean record, you may need to shop around and compare to find coverage

What You Can Do to Lessen the Impact

Even if you have an accident on your record, there are things you can do to help:

1. Practice Safe Driving: Avoid more driving violations and collisions.
2. Take a Defensive Driving Course: In Texas, this may help remove points from your driving record and lower your premium.
3. Check Your Record: Sometimes mistakes happen. Review your driving record in Texas and correct any errors with the DMV.
4. Shop Around: Over time, your rates may go down. Shopping around for better auto insurance can help you get a lower deductible and insurance premium.

Special Considerations

Not all accidents are the same. A minor collision may not hurt you as much as a crash with personal injury or property damage.

• Commercial drivers may face stricter rules.
• Serious offenses like DUI or running a red light often stay on your record longer.
• In rare cases, you may be able to expunge or seal your record, but that depends on state laws.

How long an accident stays on your record can also vary by state, so always double-check the state you live in.

Legal Help After an At-Fault Accident

If you’re not sure whether you were at fault or if your accident caused major personal injury, it’s smart to talk to a lawyer.

At Austin Accident Lawyer, you don’t pay us unless we win. We’ll cover the costs for your case, including court fees, medical records, and expert help. If we don’t win, you don’t owe us anything.

We even help with your property damage for free.

Conclusion

So, how long does an at fault accident stay on your record? An at-fault accident in Texas can stay on your record for three to five years, depending on the type of record and the severity of the accident. It can lead to higher insurance premiums, affect your ability to insure your vehicle affordably, and stay on your driving record in Texas for years. However, this doesn’t have to define your future as a driver.

By practicing safe driving, taking a driving course, checking your record, and shopping around for better rates, you can lessen the long-term effects. And if the situation is complicated, especially with injuries or disputes over fault, reaching out to a Texas car accident attorney can help protect your rights and give you peace of mind. Remember, even though an accident can remain on your record, it doesn’t mean it has to hold you back.