How Much Is Your Auto Accident Compensation Worth?

Damages resulting from car accidents are designed to compensate victims for their losses. Some of the damages include medical bills, property damage and suffering and pain.

In New York, you have up three years to file legal action following an accident, but waiting too long can harm your case. Evidence can be lost over time or destroyed. Witnesses can 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 may also be awarded compensation for non-economic damages like pain and suffering. The amount of compensation you will receive is contingent on how serious your injuries are and the impact they'll have on your life.

A skilled auto accident lawyer can assist you in determining the value of your injuries and damages to your property, and negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company. But, keep in mind that insurance companies are in business to earn a profit. This means that they'll try to settle your claim as low as they can. You need an attorney who will fight for you to obtain the maximum amount you're entitled to.

You can also claim compensation if you have personal items that were damaged during the accident. These include your clothing, shoes and jewelry. You may also receive compensation for the costs of garden maintenance, housekeeping or childcare, if you can't do these things because of your injuries.

Your deductible can also be a part of the equation when determining how the value of your claim is. You must pay your deductible prior to the insurance company starts to compensate you for your losses. You could then sue the driver responsible for any remaining damages.

Medical bills

The medical bills that arise from a car wreck can quickly accumulate. The average cost of an ambulance ride, a hospital stay and inpatient care can run into tens or thousands of dollars or more. The cost of prescription drugs as well as physical therapy and other therapies can rise as the injured person recovers.

If an individual driver is found to be at fault in a lawsuit they are responsible for paying the victim's damages, which includes medical expenses. The law does not require that the at-fault party pay for their victim's medical expenses on a regular basis.

If you do not reside in a state that is no-fault, the first step to take for medical bills compensation is to submit an application to your insurance company for auto accident attorney coverage for PIP (personal injury protection) coverage. This coverage may be able to cover all or a large portion of your medical expenses, dependent on the policy limits.

You should also make an claim against the liability coverage of the driver at the fault, as well as your own uninsured motorist policy. These policies may pay for medical costs, but they often include deductibles or other conditions. An experienced lawyer can help you get your medical bills paid. This will save you from having to spend your money on medical expenses and will allow you to concentrate on recovering.

Lost wages

Accidents that involve cars could cause you to miss work. This can leave you without income and unable to pay your bills. You may have to borrow money from your friends or family. It could take months to reach a settlement in your case. In the meantime, you will need to continue paying your bills from your own pocket and wait for the settlement.

A claim for lost wages can aid in recovering the money you could have earned not for your car accident injury. This can include salary as well as hourly wages, but it may also include other financial benefits such as raises and bonuses. Your attorney can calculate the actual loss earnings.

You can file a claim with an insurance company that is no-fault or pursue the party at fault for lost wages. The claim is usually made up of your medical bills, proof of absences due to your injuries, and evidence of your loss of earnings capacity. This is often referred to as demand package.

You will be required to provide a letter from the employer verifying the particulars of your work including the days you were absent because of your injury as well as the hours you typically work. You'll also need to provide your pay stubs and tax documents. Your lawyer can assist you in gathering these documents as well as making a compelling request to present to the insurer or judge in your case.

Suffering and pain

While some expenses associated with a crash can be calculated to the penny -- such as emergency services, medical bills and surgery costs, medication and lost wages, other expenses are not. These damages that are not quantifiable are known as pain and suffering and are an important part in the claim for compensation of a victim.

The emotional and physical consequences of an accident are included in suffering and pain. The injuries suffered by a victim could have a lasting impact on their life which can lead to permanent disabilities, or even death. For example, an injured victim who suffers a severe brain injury might never be able to get back to normal functioning. These types of injuries typically require a substantial settlement.

In most cases, the amount of suffering and pain a victim receives depends on the severity of their injuries and how the injury has affected their life. An experienced lawyer will investigate the specifics of your case to determine an appropriate amount for settlement. They will use previous settlement amounts for similar injuries as a guide 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 for suffering and pain in the belief that their injuries are not severe enough. An experienced lawyer can resist such tactics and negotiate on behalf of you with the insurer to ensure that you receive an equitable settlement.