How Much Is Your Auto Accident Compensation Worth?

Damages resulting from car accidents are designed to compensate the victims of the collision. They can include cost of property damage and medical bills, while some are not economic, like suffering and pain.

In New York you have three years following an accident to bring a lawsuit. However, waiting too long could hurt your case. Evidence can disappear over time or destroyed. Witnesses could not remember important details.

Damages

In the event of a crash victims may receive compensation for their economic losses such as medical bills or lost wages. In addition, they can receive compensation for noneconomic damages such as pain and discomfort. The amount you will receive is contingent on the severity of your injuries and the impact they'll have on your life.

A skilled auto accident lawyer will help you determine the worth of your injuries and damages to your property, and negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company. Insurance companies are in business to make money. They will do everything they can to resolve your claim as cheaply as possible. You require an attorney who will fight to get the most money you deserve.

In addition to the cost of repairing your vehicle, you can also claim reimbursement for personal belongings that were damaged in the collision. These include your clothes, shoes and jewelry. You may also be eligible for compensation for costs related to housekeeping, gardening or childcare, if are unable to do these tasks because of injuries.

In determining the value of your claim, the deductible will also be taken into consideration. You'll have to pay your deductible prior to the insurance company will begin to pay for your damages. You may then start a lawsuit against the driver at fault to recover the remaining amount of your damages.

Medical bills

The medical bills that arise from a car wreck can quickly mount up. The cost of an ambulance ride, hospital stay and inpatient care can be tens of thousands of dollars or more. In addition, the cost for prescription drugs, physical therapy and other medical care could continue to rise as the person who was injured progresses through their recovery.

If a driver is found be at the fault in a lawsuit, they are accountable for the victim's damages including medical expenses. However the law does not normally require the at-fault party to pay for their medical bills of their victim on a regular 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). Depending on your policy limits the coverage may be sufficient to cover all or a portion of your medical expenses.

You must also make a claim through the insurance company of the driver at fault for any liability insurance they carry, as well as the uninsured motorist protection on your personal car policy. These insurance policies may reimburse the medical expenses you incur but they typically come with deductibles and other conditions which you must follow. A lawyer with experience can guide you through the process of getting medical bills paid. This will prevent you from having to spend your personal income on medical care and allows you to concentrate on recovering.

Loss of wages

Accidents in the car could keep you out of work. This could leave you without a paycheck and unable to pay your bills. You might need to borrow money from family or friends. It can also take months to settle your case. During this time, you'll have to pay for your expenses yourself and wait for the settlement.

A claim for lost wages can aid you in recovering the money you could have earned not for the injuries sustained in your car accident. This can include hourly wages and salary, but could also include other financial advantages like raises and bonuses. Your attorney can calculate the exact amount of lost earnings.

You can make a claim for lost wages through a no fault insurance company or a lawsuit against the party at fault. The claim is usually made up of your medical bills, proof of missed work due your injuries, and the evidence of your loss in earnings capacity. It is commonly described as demand packages.

You'll need a letter from your employer verifying your employment details including the days that you were away due to injuries as well as the hours you typically work. You'll also need to provide your paystubs as well as tax documents. Your attorney can assist you collect these documents and create a compelling demand package to present to the insurance company or the judge in your case.

Suffering and pain

Some expenses associated with an accident can be estimated right down to the penny such as medical bills, emergency services, surgery, medications and lost wages. But others aren't. These unquantifiable damages are called pain and suffering and play an important aspect of a victim's compensation claim.

Pain and suffering encompasses both the physical and emotional consequences of an accident. The injuries sustained by victims can have a lasting effect on their lives and cause permanent disabilities or even death. For instance, a victim suffering from a debilitating brain injury may never be able to get back to normal functioning. These kinds of injuries typically need a substantial settlement.

In the majority of cases, the amount and suffering an injured victim experiences is determined by the severity of the injury and the impact it affected their lives. An experienced attorney will investigate the details of your case to determine the appropriate settlement. They will utilize previous settlement amounts for similar accident injuries as a guide to give you an idea of what your case may be worth in terms of suffering and pain.

Insurance companies try to discredit the claims of victims of suffering and pain by claiming that their injuries were not sufficient. A knowledgeable lawyer can fight back against such tactics and negotiate on behalf of you with the insurance company to ensure you get an appropriate settlement.