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 the cost of repairs to property, medical bills and suffering and pain.
In New York, you have up to three years to pursue legal action after an accident, but not acting quickly can hurt your case. Over time, evidence may be lost or destroyed, and witnesses may forget key details.
Damages
In the event of a car crash victims can be awarded compensation for their economic losses, such as medical bills or lost wages. Additionally, they may be compensated for non-economic injuries, like suffering and pain. The amount of compensation you are entitled to depends on the severity of your injuries and the impact they have on your life.
A skilled auto accident attorney can assist you in determining the value of your injuries and property damage, and then negotiate with the insurance company to negotiate a fair settlement. Insurance companies are in business of making money. This means they will try to settle your claim as low as possible. Therefore, you require an attorney who knows how to fight for the highest amount of money you deserve.
You can also claim compensation if you own personal items damaged in the accident. auto accident law firm new bedford includes your shoes, clothing and jewelry. You may also be eligible for reimbursement for expenses related to household chores, gardening or childcare, if you are unable to perform these tasks because of your injuries.
When determining the value of your claim, your deductible will also be considered. You'll need to pay your deductible first before the insurance company begins to pay for the damages. You can then sue the driver at fault to recover any remaining damages.
Medical bills
Medical expenses arising from a crash in a vehicle can quickly rise. The average cost for an ambulance ride, hospital stay or inpatient treatment can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars or more. The cost of prescription medicines as well as physical therapy and other services may increase as the injured person recovers.
When the driver is found be at the fault of a lawsuit, they are accountable for the victim's damages, including medical costs. However the law does not typically require the at-fault party to pay the victim's medical bills on an ongoing basis.
If you don't live in a state that is a no-fault state, your first step for getting compensation for medical bills is to apply for PIP coverage (personal injury protection). This insurance may cover all or the majority of your medical costs, subject to the policy limits.
You must also submit a claim to the insurance company of the driver at fault for any liability coverage they have and also the uninsured motorist protection on your personal car policy. These policies may pay for medical expenses, but they typically include deductibles or other conditions. A skilled lawyer can assist you navigate the process of getting your medical bills paid. This will save you from having to spend your income on medical treatment and allow you to concentrate on your recovery.
Lost wages
Accidents involving vehicles could cause you to miss work. This could leave you without income and struggling to pay your bills. You may have to borrow money from relatives or friends. It could take a long time to settle your case. During this time, it's possible that you'll have to pay the bills yourself and wait for the settlement.
You can recover lost wages in the event that you've been injured in a car accident. This can include hourly wages and salary, but could also include other financial advantages like bonuses and raises. Your attorney can calculate the actual amount of lost earnings.
You can submit a claim for lost wages with a no-fault insurance company or file a lawsuit against the party at fault. The claim will usually include your medical expenses, proof of missed work due your injuries, as well as the evidence of your loss in earnings capacity. It is also called the demand package.
You'll be required to submit a letter from your employer that confirms the details of your job including the days you were absent because of your injury, as well as the hours that you normally work. You'll need to provide your pay stubs, tax documents and other pertinent documents. Your lawyer can help you collect these documents and create an impressive demand package to present to the insurance company or judge in your case.
Pain and suffering
Certain expenses incurred in an accident can be estimated to the penny, like medical bills, emergency services and surgeries, medication loss of wages, etc., but others cannot. These unquantifiable losses are known as pain and suffering, and are an essential part of a victim's compensation claim.
Both the emotional and physical effects of an accident are part of the suffering and pain. The injuries of a victim could be long-lasting and impact their lives, leading to permanent disability, or even death. For example, an injured victim who suffers a severe brain injury could never work or function normally again. These types of injuries are usually worth a large settlement.
In the majority of instances, the amount of suffering and pain that a victim experiences is contingent upon the degree of their injuries and how the injury has impacted their lives. A seasoned attorney will research the details of your case to determine a fair settlement. They will utilize previous settlement amounts for similar accident injuries as a guide to give you an idea of what your case might be worth in terms of pain and suffering.
Insurance companies try to undermine the claims of victims for suffering and pain, by claiming that their injuries were not sufficiently severe. A skilled lawyer will stand up to such tactics and negotiate on your behalf with the insurer to ensure you get an appropriate settlement.