If you or your loved one has been injured in an accident, you may be unsure of your legal rights and the compensation you may be entitled to. Below are three of the most common claims, other than pain and suffering, that an accident attorney experienced in personal injury litigation can bring on behalf of a client.
1. Property damage
When an accident occurs, you may be wondering who will pay for the tow truck that comes to the scene to remove your vehicle or how the storage fees charged by the mechanic shop are financed. Even more important is who will pay to repair the vehicle, or if it’s a total loss, will they give you a replacement vehicle? The answer depends on whether you have collision insurance for your vehicle and your degree of negligence for the accident. If the other vehicle hits your car from behind, at a red light, it is pretty clear that the entire fault lies with that other vehicle. Your insurance company will be responsible for 100% of the damages, including rental fees, storage fees, and towing charges, and your attorney will be able to process the claim on your behalf. If there is any degree of negligence on your part, you may want to consider getting property damage on your own policy, depending on the collision insurance provision. Yes, you will pay a deductible, but if your car is damaged to the tune of $8,000.00 and you are 50% at fault, which means the other company is only willing to reimburse you for $4,000.00, you better pay your $500 deductible and collecting $7,500 from his insurance company, keeping in mind, of course, that his rates could increase next year by a certain percentage. Your car accident attorney will be able to sit down with you and run through the numbers to see which option is best for your situation.
2. Payments of medical bills
The no-fault portion of the auto policy provides for the payment of medical, hospital, and other health-related bills to the claimant’s providers. It also pays for transportation expenses (for example, if the client had to take a taxi to the doctor’s office), as well as prescription drug and home help expenses, as long as the expense is determined to be medically necessary. However, you have limited time to apply for these benefits, and the bulky forms are often confusing to those who have never dealt with the subject before. An accident attorney or staff member typically completes the necessary forms for each client injured in a vehicle accident and understands the procedure that must be followed.
3. Claim for lost wages
If you have been unable to work as a result of the accident, car accident attorneys can file a loss of earnings claim on your behalf. Again, the claim is made against the client’s no-fault policy, unless the injury occurred on the job and Workers’ Compensation is primary. Either way, your accident attorneys will be able to explain what percentage of your lost wages can be recovered, if additional compensation or benefits are available.
A car accident can be traumatic and difficult for everyone involved. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a car accident, an experienced team of trial attorneys understands the dynamics of car accidents and ensures that your injury claims result in the highest level of compensation possible.
