Is a Car Totaled if Airbags Deploy?

In the aftermath of a car accident in Denver, one question often arises: does the deployment of airbags automatically classify a vehicle as totaled? Airbag deployment in a motor vehicle collision does not guarantee that the insurance company will declare your auto a total loss. The potential value of repairs necessary to restore your vehicle will determine whether the insurer may declare a total loss.

If you sustained injuries in an accident in Colorado, contact the personal injury lawyers at Front Range Injury Attorneys today to schedule your free consultation. Our experienced legal team are knowledgeable and zealous advocates for our clients and their cases. We treat our clients as people, not case files. Learn more about how we can help you pursue compensation for your injuries and damages. Contact our Denver law firm to learn more.

Determining Total Loss: Beyond Airbag Deployment

When grappling with the aftermath of a car accident in Denver, understanding when a vehicle is considered totaled is paramount. In Colorado, as in many jurisdictions, the threshold for total loss hinges on repair costs surpassing the vehicle’s overall value. Colorado employs a 100 percent threshold, equating repair expenses plus salvage value to the vehicle’s actual cash worth. This pivotal assessment dictates whether a vehicle falls into the total loss category.

If your car is deemed a total loss, you can recover the actual cash value of the vehicle rather than the repair costs. Actual cash value is determined by the pre-collision market value of the car. In other words: how much money would you have received if you sold the car the day before the crash? The value of the vehicle will depend on several factors including the make and model of the vehicle, depreciation value, age, mileage, condition and pre-existing damage.

In Colorado, drivers must carry a minimum of $15,000 in property damage liability insurance to cover repairs or replacement of another driver’s car when the driver is at fault for a car accident. If the at-fault driver lacks sufficient coverage to pay for a total vehicle, the owner of the car may have to rely on their own coverage (such as collision or underinsured motorist property damage coverage) or file a lawsuit against the driver for the excess. If you caused a car accident or a natural condition caused damage, you would have to use collision coverage to repair your own vehicle.

Factors Influencing Total Loss Designation

Airbag deployment by itself is typically not a major factor to determine whether a vehicle is a total loss. Airbags do not always deploy in serious accidents and minor accidents can trigger the airbag sensor. Airbag replacements are not significantly expensive; their replacement is often not a cost that tips the scale in favor of totaling your car.

Other types of damage are more likely to result in a total loss, including:

• Major fluid leaks
• Engine or transmission damage
• Damage to essential safety features
• Severe structural damage to the vehicle

Property damaging affecting the structural integrity or safe operation are more likely to result in the insurance company totaling your car. It can be difficult to ensure repairs completely restore the vehicle to safe condition and the insurance companies do not want a subsequent claim caused by defective repairs from the first accident. Extensive damage is also more likely to result in a total loss declaration due to the repair costs exceeding the actual cash value of your car. Additionally, the actual cash value of your car will play a role in the insurer’s decision. The more money a car is worth, the harder it is for repair costs to exceed the actual cash value. The less a car is worth, the more likely repair costs will exceed the market value of your vehicle.

Seeking Legal Guidance after a car accident in Colorado

In the aftermath of a car accident involving airbag deployment, seeking legal counsel can provide clarity amidst uncertainty. Front Range Injury Attorneys offer invaluable guidance, ensuring that individuals understand their rights and options following a total loss designation.

Navigating the aftermath of a car accident demands a comprehensive understanding of total loss determinations, transcending the singular focus on airbag deployment. By grasping the multifaceted nature of this process, individuals can confidently pursue recourse and navigate insurance complexities.