How Much Is Your Auto Accident Compensation Worth?
Car accident damages are meant to compensate victims for their losses. Some of the damages include medical bills, property damage and pain and suffering.
In New York you have three years after an accident to file a lawsuit. However, waiting too long could harm your case. Over time, evidence can be lost or destroyed and witnesses may forget key details.
Damages
In the event of a crash in a car, victims may be awarded compensation for the economic loss they suffered like medical bills and lost wages. They can also receive compensation for non-economic damages, like pain and suffering. The amount of compensation you can receive depends on how serious your injuries are and the impact they have on your life.
A skilled auto accident attorney can help you determine the worth of your injuries as well as property damage, and negotiate with the insurance provider for an acceptable settlement. But, keep in mind that insurance companies exist to make money. This means that they’ll try to settle your claim for as little as they can. You require an attorney who will fight for you to get the most money you deserve.
In addition to the costs of repairing your vehicle you may also claim compensation for personal items that were damaged by the accident. Jewelry, clothing, and shoes are all included. You can also receive compensation for the costs of garden maintenance, housekeeping or childcare, if you cannot do these things due to injuries.
Your deductible is also part of the equation when determining how the value of your claim will be. You must pay your deductible first before the insurance company begins to cover the cost of damages. You can then sue the motorist at fault to recover any remaining damages.
Medical bills
Medical bills arising from a car crash can quickly mount up. The cost of an ambulance ride, hospital stay and inpatient treatment can be tens of thousand dollars or more. In addition, the cost for physical therapy, prescription drugs and other treatment options can continue to rise as the victim progresses through their recovery.
When a driver is found be at fault in a lawsuit, they are responsible for the victim’s damages, including medical costs. The law does not require that the at-fault party pay the medical expenses of their victim on regular basis.
If you are not in a no-fault state the first step to take for medical bills compensation is to submit an application to your auto insurance provider for PIP (personal injury protection) coverage. The coverage could cover all or most of your medical costs, according to the limits of your policy.
You should also make a claim with the insurance policy of the driver who is at fault for any liability insurance they have in addition to the uninsured motorist coverage of your own insurance policy. These policies may reimburse you for medical expenses, but they usually include deductibles or other conditions. An experienced lawyer can help you in navigating the process of getting your medical bills paid. This will enable you to reduce the amount you spend on medical bills and focus on your recovery.
Lost wages
Car accidents can cause you to miss work. You may not be able to pay your bills and may lose income due to. You may have to take out loans from family members or friends. It can also take months to reach a settlement in your case. In that time, will be required to continue paying the bills out of your own pocket and wait for the settlement.
A claim for lost wages may aid you in recovering the money you could have earned not for the injuries sustained in your car accident. This could include salary and hourly wages, but it may also include other financial benefits such bonuses and raises. Your lawyer can determine the exact amount of lost earnings.
You can make a claim through an insurer with no fault or take action against the party responsible for lost wages. The claim will typically involve your medical bills, proof that you were unable to work because of your injuries, as well as documentation of your diminished earning capacity. It is commonly called demand packages.
You will need to provide an employer’s letter providing proof of your employment, which includes the days you were absent due to injuries as well as the hours you work normally. You will need to provide your paystubs, tax forms and other pertinent documents. Your attorney can assist in assembling these documents and preparing a compelling demand to present to the insurer or judge in your case.
Suffering and pain
Certain costs associated with accidents can be calculated down to the penny, such as medical expenses, emergency services surgeries, medications loss of wages, etc. However, others aren’t. The unquantifiable costs are known as pain and suffering, and are an essential element of a person’s compensation claim.
The emotional and physical effects of an accident are part of the pain and suffering. The injuries sustained by a victim may have a lasting impact on their life, leading to permanent disabilities, or even death. For example, an injured victim who suffers a debilitating brain injury is unlikely to work or function normally again. These types of injuries typically require a substantial settlement.
In the majority of instances, the amount pain and suffering the victim suffers is determined by the degree of their injuries and how the accident has affected their lives. An experienced attorney will investigate the specifics of your case to determine the most appropriate settlement. They will consider previous settlement amounts for similar injuries to help you get an idea of what your case may be worth in terms of suffering and pain.
Insurance companies try to undermine the claims of victims of suffering and pain, by claiming their injuries are not sufficient. A skilled lawyer will rebuff these tactics and negotiate with the insurer on your behalf to ensure that you get an honest settlement.