How Much Is Your Auto Accident Compensation Worth?
Damages from car accidents are intended to compensate victims for their losses. Some of these include costs of property damage, as well as medical bills, while others are not economic, like pain and suffering.
In New York, you have up to three years to take legal action after an accident, but delay can be detrimental to your case. Evidence can disappear over time or destroyed. Witnesses could forget important details.
Damages
In the event of a car accident victims may be awarded compensation for their economic losses like medical bills and lost wages. They can also receive compensation for non-economic injuries, such as suffering and pain. The amount of 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 help you determine the worth of your injuries and the damage to property, and negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company. Insurance companies are in the business to make money. This means they will attempt to settle your claim as low as they can. You need an attorney who knows how to fight for the maximum amount you deserve.
In addition to the cost of repairing your vehicle, you may also claim compensation for personal belongings which were damaged in the crash. This includes your clothing, shoes, and jewelry. You can also get compensation for the costs of housekeeping, gardening or childcare, if are unable to perform these tasks because of your injuries.
In determining the value of your claim, the deductible is also considered. You must pay your deductible prior to the insurance company can begin to pay for your damages. You can then start a lawsuit against the driver at fault to recover any remaining amount of your losses.
Medical bills
Medical bills resulting of a car crash could quickly rise. The average cost for an ambulance ride, hospital stay or inpatient treatment can reach tens of thousands of dollars or more. The cost of prescription medications as well as physical therapy and other treatments can rise as the injured person recovers.
When a driver is found to be at fault in a lawsuit, they are responsible for paying the victim's damages including medical expenses. The law doesn't require that the at-fault driver pay the medical expenses of their victim on a regular basis.
If you don't live in a state that is no-fault the first step to getting reimbursement for medical expenses is to apply for PIP coverage (personal injury protection). auto accident lawsuit macon can cover all or the majority of your medical expenses dependent on the policy limits.
You must also file an appeal against the liability coverage of the driver who is at fault, and also your own uninsured motorist policy. These policies may reimburse you for medical costs, but they often contain deductibles and other terms. A lawyer with experience will assist you through the process of obtaining reimbursement for medical expenses. This will let you avoid spending your own income on medical bills and concentrate on your recovery.
Loss of wages
Injuries from car accidents can keep you out of work. This can result in you being without a paycheck and struggling to pay your bills. You might need to borrow money from your friends or family members. It could take a long time to settle your case. In this time, you'll have to pay the bills yourself and wait for the settlement.
A claim for lost wages could aid you in recovering the money you could have earned not for your car accident injury. This can include hourly earnings and salary, but can also include other financial advantages like raises and bonuses. Your attorney can calculate the actual loss earnings.
You can file a claim with a no-fault insurer or take action against the party responsible for the loss of wages. The claim usually includes your medical expenses, proof of your absence from work due to your injuries, as well as evidence of your loss of earnings capacity. It is sometimes called the demand package.
You'll be required to submit a letter from your employer confirming the specifics of your employment, including the days that you were absent due to your injury and the hours you normally work. You will need to provide your pay stubs, tax documents and other pertinent documents. Your attorney can help you to gather these documents and make a convincing demand form to present to the insurance company or the judge in your case.
Suffering and pain
While some of the costs associated with crashes can be figured to the penny, such as emergency services, medical bills and surgery costs, medication and lost wages, other expenses are not. The unquantifiable damages are referred to as pain and suffering and play an important part in an injury claim.
Pain and suffering encompasses both the physical and emotional consequences of an accident. A victim's injuries may be long-lasting and impact their lives, resulting in permanent disability, or even death. Someone who has suffered a debilitating head injury, for instance could never be in a position to work or perform normally. These kinds of injuries typically need a substantial settlement.
In the majority of instances, the amount of pain and suffering a victim endures is determined by the severity of the injury and the impact it has had on their life. A knowledgeable attorney will study the specific details of your case and determine an appropriate amount for settlement. They will use prior settlement amounts for similar accident injuries to give you an idea of what your case might be worth in terms of suffering and pain.
Unfortunately, insurance companies often attempt to undermine victims with claims of pain and suffering by claiming that their physical or emotional injuries are not serious enough. A knowledgeable lawyer can resist these tactics and negotiate on your behalf with the insurer to ensure that you get an honest settlement.