How Much Is Your Auto Accident Compensation Worth?
Damages caused by car accidents are aimed to compensate victims for their losses. Some of the damages include property damage, medical bills and the pain and suffering.
In New York, you have up three years to file legal action following a crash, however delay can be detrimental to your case. Evidence can be lost over time or destroyed. Witnesses could not remember important details.
Damages
In the case of a car accident victims can be awarded compensation for their economic losses, such as medical bills or lost wages. They can also receive compensation for non-economic injuries, such as suffering and pain. But, how much your claim will be worth is contingent on the degree of your injuries and the impact they have on your life.
A skilled lawyer for auto accidents can assist you in determining the worth of your injuries and the damage to property, and negotiate an appropriate settlement with the insurance company. Insurance companies are in the business to make money. That means that they will attempt to settle your claim for as little as they can. Therefore, you require an attorney who is able to ensure that you receive the maximum amount of money that you are entitled to.
You may also be eligible to claim compensation if you have personal items damaged in the accident. Shoes, clothing and jewelry are all covered. You can also receive compensation for expenses relating to garden maintenance, housekeeping or childcare, if you are unable to perform these tasks because of injuries.
When determining the value of your claim, your deductible is also considered. You will have to first pay your deductible before the insurance company begins to pay for damages. You can then sue the motorist at fault for any remaining damages.
Medical bills
The medical costs resulting of a car crash could quickly rise. The cost for an ambulance ride, hospital stay and inpatient treatment could be hundreds of thousands of dollars or more. The cost of prescription drugs physical therapy, prescription drugs, and other therapies can rise as the victim recovers.
When the driver is found be at fault in a lawsuit they are responsible for paying the victim's damages, which includes medical expenses. The law does not require that the at-fault driver pay for their victim's medical expenses on regular basis.
If you do not live in a state that is a no-fault state the first step for getting compensation for medical bills is to apply for PIP coverage (personal injury protection). Based on the limits of your policy the coverage may be sufficient to cover all or a portion of your medical expenses.
You must also file an claim against the liability coverage of the driver at fault, as well as your own uninsured driver policy. These insurance policies could reimburse your medical expenses however they are usually accompanied with deductibles and other terms which you must follow. A lawyer with experience will assist you through the process of obtaining reimbursement for medical expenses. This will allow you to avoid spending your own income on medical expenses and instead focus on your recovery.
Loss of wages
Injuries from car accidents can prevent you from going to work. You may be unable to pay your bills and may lose income as a result. You might need to take out loans from family members or friends. A settlement can take months. In the meantime, you must continue to pay the bills from your pocket, and then wait for the settlement.
A claim for lost wages may aid you in recovering the money you would have earned if not for the injuries sustained in your car accident. This can include hourly wages and salary, but it could also include other financial advantages like raises and bonuses. An attorney can help calculate your actual lost earnings.
You can make a claim through an insurer with no fault or pursue the party at fault for the loss of wages. The typical claim will involve medical expenses, proof that you missed work due to injuries, as well as documentation of your earnings loss. This is often referred to as demand package.
You will be required to submit a written statement from your employer that confirms the details of your job including the days you were absent due to your injury as well as the hours that you normally work. You'll need your pay stubs, tax documents and other pertinent documents. auto accident lawyer canton can assist you in gathering these documents as well as making a compelling request to present to the insurance company or judge in your case.
Pain and suffering
Certain expenses incurred in an accident can be figured down to the penny, for example, medical bills, emergency services, surgery, medications and lost wages. But others aren't. The unquantifiable costs are known as pain and suffering and are an essential part of a victim's compensation claim.
Pain and suffering encompasses both the emotional and physical effects of an accident. The injuries of a victim could have a lasting impact on their lives, leading to permanent disabilities or even death. A person who suffers a severe head injury, like might never be functional or work normally. These kinds of injuries typically result in a large settlement.
In the majority of cases, the amount and suffering an injured victim suffers is determined by the severity of the injury and the impact it has affected their lives. A knowledgeable attorney will study the specific details of your case and determine the appropriate amount of settlement. They will consider previous settlement amounts for similar accident injuries as a guide to give you an idea of what your case could be worth in terms of pain and suffering.
Unfortunately, insurance companies often try to deflect victims of suffering and pain by claiming that their emotional or physical injuries aren't severe enough. A knowledgeable lawyer will rebuff these tactics and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to ensure you get an honest settlement.