In most car accident cases, those responsible must pay for damages and injuries caused by their accidents; however, insurance companies operate for-profit businesses which often attempt to deny or reduce claims made against them.
Even if you feel fine after being involved in a car accident, it is wise to see a doctor as soon as possible in order to document any injuries and give the insurance company less room to dispute your claim. Doing this allows them less room to defend against it later.
Medical bills
Medical bills are an integral component of any car accident compensation claim, yet many accident victims must forego necessary treatments because they cannot afford them. A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can help address these concerns early on in the process and force those at fault to pay damages to settle your case or lawsuit, including payments that cover medical costs as part of a settlement or judgment award.
In some states, car insurers are required to cover third-party expenses through third-party claims. Your health insurance may pick up the tab through its “Med Pay” rider; however, some providers may still attempt to collect a lien before your case has been finalized; such surprises can add unwelcome stress.
Lost wages
After being injured in a car accident, it is crucial that any lost wages be compensated. No matter if it was only for a day or more missed work due to your injury; compensation should be awarded as payment for income that would have been generated had your injury not taken place.
Your two options for recovering losses related to this accident are through either the at-fault driver’s liability bodily injury coverage, or your own car insurance under personal injury protection (PIP) coverage if available. When making your claim, submit wage verification letters from employers along with documents such as tax returns or pay stubs as evidence.
As well as lost wages, you may also be entitled to compensation for medical care expenses and pain and suffering. While typically this cap is set at $50,000, certain individuals can qualify for greater amounts.
Pain and suffering
Pain and suffering damages are non-economic damages designed to compensate a car accident victim for emotional trauma, reduced quality of life and other losses that arise as the result of an incident. Unfortunately, quantifying such damages may prove challenging.
Insurance companies usually use one of two methods to calculate pain and suffering: adding together your medical bills and other financial losses and multiplying them by 1.5-5 depending on the severity and permanence of your injuries.
A higher multiplier indicates serious and permanent injuries while lower ones indicate more minor ones. Your attorney will help determine an appropriate multiplier for your claim, and it is crucial that you detail how it has affected both physical and psychological pain in a clear way so the insurance company has a full picture of how an injury has altered daily life.
Damages for property damage
Property damage claims cover repairs to cars as well as repairs for any physical items damaged in an accident, such as textbooks, mobile phones and computer accessories – or sentimental valuable items like antiques or jewelry that may have been lost or destroyed in the crash.
In no-fault states like New York, car insurance usually pays these expenses regardless of who was responsible for causing an accident – this provision is known as personal injury protection (PIP).
However, it’s essential to keep in mind that if you are found partially responsible for an accident, your PIP claim may be reduced according to your percentage of fault. Therefore it is vital that you hire a highly experienced NYC car accident attorney as having someone on your side can ensure that your rights are safeguarded throughout this process.
Damages for personal injuries
Imagine sitting in your vehicle with your child asleep in their safety seat when another driver runs a red light and causes an accident that t-bones your vehicle – even though no harm was caused physically to either of you, this experience can still be traumatizing.
Your emotional injuries can be compensated through a civil suit against the driver at fault. Speak with an experienced New York car accident attorney regarding how much in damages to claim in relation to personal injuries and property losses.
Economic damages typically include medical expenses, lost wages and the replacement of damaged personal property, while non-economic damages often include pain and suffering, inconvenience and lost enjoyment of life. While most states utilize no-fault insurance systems, some do allow for lawsuits based on fault.