When your car is declared a total loss after an accident, the insurance company usually takes the vehicle and pays you its value. But what if you don’t want to give it up? Can you keep a totaled car? The short answer: yes, but there are trade-offs.

After a car accident, one phrase comes up more than any other: “Who was at fault?” But what does “at-fault” really mean? It’s more than just pointing fingers — it determines whose insurance pays, how much compensation is available, and in some cases, whether you can even file a lawsuit. Understanding how fault works can make or break your accident claim.