Your responsibility depends on the claim’s outcome and your insurance. If you are found legally responsible, you typically pay your insurance deductible first. Your insurance policy covers costs up to its limit. You are personally responsible for any settlement or judgment amount that exceeds your policy limits. This is why having adequate coverage is critical. Costs can include the other person’s medical bills, repair costs, lost wages, and their “pain and suffering,“ as determined by negotiation or a court.

A police report is a crucial, neutral document that records the officer’s observations, witness accounts, and often a preliminary opinion on fault. A citation (ticket) issued at the scene is strong evidence of a traffic law violation, which heavily implies negligence. However, a citation is not a final legal determination. The other driver’s insurance company can still dispute fault. Always obtain a copy of the police report, as it is a foundational piece of evidence for your insurance claim or any legal case.

Professional liability, often called malpractice, occurs when a licensed professional fails to perform their duties according to the accepted standards of their profession, causing harm to a client or patient. This is most commonly associated with doctors, surgeons, lawyers, accountants, architects, and engineers. The claim asserts that the professional’s negligence, error, or omission—such as a misdiagnosis, surgical mistake, or faulty financial advice—directly resulted in damages, injury, or financial loss that would not have otherwise occurred.