How Much Is Your
Auto Accident Compensation Worth?
Car accident damages are meant to compensate victims for their losses. Some of the damages include property damage, medical bills and pain and suffering.
In New York you have three years from the date of an accident to file a lawsuit. But, if you wait too long can hurt your case. Evidence could be lost over time or destroyed. Witnesses can forget important details.
Damages
In the event of a crash in a car, victims may be awarded compensation for their economic losses like medical bills and lost wages. Additionally, they may be compensated for non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering. The amount of compensation you receive will depend on how serious your injuries are and the impact they have on your life.
A skilled auto accident lawyer will help you determine the value of your injuries and damages to property, and then negotiate an appropriate settlement with the insurance company. Insurance companies are in business of making money. That means that they will try to settle your claim as low as they can. You need a lawyer who knows how to fight for the maximum amount of money that you deserve.
You may also be eligible for compensation if you own personal items that were damaged during the accident. Clothing, shoes, and jewelry are all covered. You can also get compensation for costs related to gardening, housekeeping, or childcare if you are not able to do these things yourself due to your injuries.
Your deductible can also be a part of the equation in determining how much your claim is worth. You will need to pay your deductible before the insurance company begins to pay for your damages. You can then file a lawsuit against the driver who was at fault to recover the remaining amount of your losses.
Medical bills
The medical costs resulting of a car crash could quickly increase. The average cost of an ambulance ride, hospital stay, and inpatient care can run into tens or thousands of dollars or more. The cost of prescription drugs physical therapy, prescription drugs, and other services may increase as the injured person recovers.
The driver at fault is responsible for paying a victim's losses including medical expenses when they are found responsible in a lawsuit. However, the
law does not usually require an at-fault party to pay for their medical bills of their victim on an ongoing basis.
If you are not in a state with no-fault laws, the first step for medical bill compensation is to submit an application to your insurance company for auto coverage for PIP (personal injury protection) coverage. This coverage may cover all or the majority of your medical expenses, dependent on the policy limits.
You should also make claims against the liability coverage of the driver at the fault, and your own uninsured motorist insurance policy. These insurance policies could reimburse your medical expenses, although they often come with deductibles and other conditions that you must adhere to. An experienced lawyer can help you navigate the process of getting your medical bills paid. This will allow you to save money on medical expenses and instead focus on recovering.
Loss of wages
Accidents in the car can make you unable to work. This could leave you without a paycheck and unable to pay your bills. You might need to borrow money from your friends or family members. It could take a long time to reach a settlement in your case. During this time, it's possible that you'll have to pay your bills yourself and wait for the settlement.
You can claim back lost wages if you've been injured in a car crash. This can be a combination of salary and hourly wages, but it could also include other financial benefits, such as bonuses and raises. Your lawyer can help you calculate your actual lost earnings.
You can file a claim for lost wages through a non-fault insurance company, or even a lawsuit against the at-fault party. The claim usually includes your medical bills, evidence of work missed due to your injuries, as well as evidence of your loss of earnings capacity. It is also referred to as the demand package.
You will need to provide a letter from your employer providing proof of your employment, which includes the days you were off due to your injuries and the hours you normally work. You'll need your pay stubs, tax documents and other relevant documents. Your lawyer can help you collect these documents and create a convincing demand form to present to the insurance company or judge in your case.
Pain and suffering
While some expenses associated with a crash can be calculated to the penny--such as medical bills, emergency services and surgery costs, medication and lost wages, there are other expenses that cannot be quantified. The unquantifiable costs are known as pain and suffering, and are a crucial part of a victim's compensation claim.
Pain and suffering encompasses both the emotional and physical consequences of an accident. A victim's injuries may have a long-lasting impact on their lives, leading to permanent disability or even death. For instance, a victim who suffers a severe brain injury might never be able to get back to normal functioning. These kinds of injuries can be worth a substantial settlement.
In the majority of cases, the amount of suffering and pain the victim suffers is determined by the degree of their injuries and how the injury has impacted their lives. An experienced lawyer will investigate the specific details of your case and determine the appropriate amount of settlement. They will use previous settlement amounts for similar accident injuries as a reference to help you get an idea of what your case may be worth in terms of pain and suffering.
In reality, insurance companies frequently try to discredit victims' claims of pain and suffering by claiming that their emotional or physical injuries are not serious enough. A knowledgeable lawyer will stand up to these tactics and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to ensure that you get an appropriate settlement.