How Long Does an Accident Stay on Your Record?

If you’ve ever watched one of those real-life cop shows then you’ll know it never pays to try to outrun the police. One way or another they will get you.

If you have ever been prosecuted for a speeding offense or you have been involved in an accident that was found to be your fault then you may be asking, “How long does an accident stay on your record?”

It’s an important question to ask. Any driving offenses can mean you have trouble getting jobs and this can, in turn, affect your personal life and other aspects of your life.

Here’s what you need to know about the impact of an accident on a driving record.

Depends on the Type of Offense

How long a driving offense stays on your record depends on the severity of the accident that you caused. In most cases, all offenses stay on your record for three years.

If it is your first offense for something minor like being slightly over the speed limit, not having brake lights or getting into a minor skirmish, it is unlikely to affect your everyday life. Your insurance policy is unlikely to go up and it won’t affect your driving record if you pay your fine.

Serial Small Time Offender

Multiple small offenses can start to have an impact. These will stay on your record longer because they are new offenses that reset the clock to three years.

If you are involved in a serious accident, you can have your driving license suspended or removed for a number of months or years. It is unlikely that these offenses will be removed from your record for at least ten years.

Serious offenders

If you have committed a serious offense then your priority should be hiring a car accident lawyer to try and win the case. They will do their utmost to ensure you are found not guilty of the crime.

Going to court and dealing with law firms is becoming less stressful as artificial intelligence and online courts change the way they interact with their clients.

Failing this they will be able to advise you of how you can begin to restore your reputation. You might be able to appeal the case and you might be able to mitigate some of the effects on your license by attending a driver rehabilitation program.

Increased Insurance Rates

Although having a clean driving license is better than having any offenses, in most cases the important issue won’t be your record but increased insurance costs. Road accidents cost each country 1-2% of their entire GDP or $518 billion globally.

If you are a young driver then multiple offenses are going to see your insurance costs rise. If you have been driving for a while longer and have built up a stronger record of good behavior, an insurer will take this into account.

How Long Does an Accident Stay on Your Record?

If you are wondering how long does an accident stay on your record then the truth is it depends on the nature of the offense. The reality is that in most cases keeping your insurance policies down is what matters, not expunging your record.

If you are interested in reading more answers to questions like this, be sure to check out the rest of our site.

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