Sometimes, the best way to explain the cause of a motor vehicle accident is to say that it was an Act of God. This sounds like a declaration that would be beamed down from the sky in a booming voice thundering from the clouds, but it's actually a commonly used phrase in the insurance industry. An Act of God is considered to be an event which would not have been predicted or prevented, and that did not involve human activity or decision-making.
These so-called Acts of God are quite common, and they can lead to serious car accidents that sometimes result in injuries or fatalities. Colorado motorists should understand what these Acts of God are, and what they need to do to file a claim after the fact.
Examples of car accidents insurance companies claim are caused by an act of God
- Accidents caused by an unknown and unforeseen medical condition — A driver who has a heart attack behind the wheel may lose consciousness or be unable to continue operating their vehicle, which can easily lead to an accident that involves one or more cars. The driver cannot be considered negligent, however, because this is a medical condition that may not have been able to be predicted. The driver likely would not have known that they were going to experience a heart attack while driving, so therefore did not willingly and purposefully put themselves or others at risk. Other medical conditions that may lead to car accidents can include, but are not limited to, strokes, panic attacks or seizures.
- Accidents caused by a weather event — Weather and other natural disasters are notoriously unpredictable. When large storms blow up or an earthquake occurs, drivers are not necessarily warned or prepared for these events. The size and force of these natural weather events can cause collisions, but the drivers are not considered to be negligent or at-fault in these circumstances.
- Accidents caused by an animal — Animals frequently enter and leave the roadways, especially in the Denver region where there are many different wildlife species that call the area home. Birds may inadvertently fly into a windshield, deer could run onto a country road right into the path of an unsuspecting driver, and squirrels and other rodents often dart across the roadways. Whether a driver swerves to avoid hitting the animal or the animal causes two cars to collide into one another, neither driver is going to be considered negligent in this type of accident.
Will insurance cover these accidents?
Unfortunately, many people mistakenly assume that their insurance will not cover an accident that is caused by an Act of God, so they simply avoid making a claim and attempt to pay for the damages out-of-pocket. This can be expensive, particularly if the accident results in an injury or tragically, a fatality.
On the other end of the spectrum, the people who do file a claim after these accidents occur often are met with pushback from the insurance companies. The insurance companies may try to state that the claim is invalid, or that the driver was negligent in the incident.
Given the complex nature of these insurance claims, Denver drivers who are involved in an accident that was caused by an Act of God would be wise to hire an attorney who can advocate for them.
What to do if you are injured in an Act of God accident
When you or someone you love is injured in an Act of God accident, the costs can add up quickly and the legal path that you need to take is not always clear. It's imperative that you hire an accomplished attorney who specializes in personal injury law and who will advocate for your rights.
To learn more about Act of God accidents and motor vehicle accidents that occur in the Denver area, contact our law firm today. You can set up a consultation appointment with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys at any time in order to learn more about how you can receive the maximum compensation possible after a motor vehicle accident.
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