The 10 Scariest Things About Auto Accident Attorneys
What You Get From an Auto Accident Settlement
The amount you are awarded for an auto accident settlement is contingent on the extent of your injuries. Medical bills are higher for more serious injuries.
Documenting the losses will help you maximize your settlement. Your lawyer can prepare a list of damages including doctors' notes, wage records, as well as eyewitness testimonies.
Medical bills
Medical expenses are usually the first thing people consider when they are injured in a car accident. Fortunately, the law generally covers these costs in personal injury cases. However, it could take months or even years before the responsible driver is found to be responsible through a court decision or settlement agreement. In the meantime, victims accumulate medical bills that have to be paid.
Injuries from car accidents typically require extensive medical attention including surgery and physical therapy. The associated medical costs are often quite expensive. It is important that victims realize that they shouldn't be responsible for the medical bills themselves following the crash. Instead the driver at fault is accountable for them as part of their settlement.
In some instances the at-fault party will pay for the victim's medical bills directly. In certain cases, the victim’s health insurance coverage or med-pay may pay these costs when they get accumulated. These expenses can be covered by rolling claims depending on the victim's insurance coverage and the situation.
In some instances, a hospital or health insurance company may make a lien against the settlement for a victim. Fortunately, an experienced attorney can assist in negotiating these liens in order to get more money into the pockets of the victim.
Loss of wages
A car accident can wreak destruction on your finances. In addition to medical expenses and property damage, you may be required to pay for lost wages due to of your injuries. New York law requires that your insurance policy for cars reimburse you for the loss of income, up to a specific amount. Your lawyer will work to receive the full amount you are entitled to for the lost wages.
Paystubs and other documents for wages are the most common way to prove the loss of income. If you were self-employed, or worked on commission, other pertinent documents include profit-and-loss statements, receipts, invoices, bank statements, and other financial correspondence. A letter from your employer confirming the number of hours/days you missed from work due to the injuries you sustained is also important.
If you suffer from a permanent injury that limits your ability to work or stops you from working Your lawyer can consult an expert economist or financial expert to determine the future value of your earning potential. In this case the expert will evaluate your age, education level, training, credentials as well as your career path and the job duties you are unable to no longer carry out.
Our Syracuse car accident attorneys often represent clients who were severely injured in accidents, and are not able to work. Not only are they entitled to compensation for lost wages due to accidents that were not their fault, but they may be able to obtain additional compensation from the insurance of the car owner or driver who was at fault.
Suffering and pain
After a crash, car victims of accidents should be compensated for their emotional distress and pain. Insurance companies often ignore emotional pain and suffering because they are not able to be documented through photographs or x-rays. It is important to have a skilled personal injury lawyer on your side when dealing with the insurance company of the driver at fault.
Your Queens injury lawyer can help you gather evidence of all kinds to support your claim for damages. Medical bills and formal diagnosis, for example, can be used to establish the severity of a victim's injuries. A diary or journal that begins at the time of an accident and continues throughout the healing process, can document physical and emotional discomfort as well as emotional turmoil.
The degree of your injuries will also affect the amount you receive. A spinal cord injury or a severe head trauma, for instance could result in a larger settlement than a minor sprain which heals in three weeks.
The value of your injuries is an important aspect that will affect your auto accident lawsuits accident settlement. Your lawyer will help you calculate your damages and build a strong case to get the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. To find out more about the different types of damages that can be awarded in the course of a New York auto accident lawsuit, contact an experienced attorney.
Damages
As we've mentioned above Settlement awards aim to compensate victims of car accidents for their financial losses. The amount of compensation will depend on the severity and extent of the injuries sustained by the victim as well as the amount of loss they have suffered because of missed work or property damage.
A verdict will also include noneconomic damages such as pain and suffering. These damages aren't easily quantifiable, but insurance companies use an equation to determine how much they should pay for these types of damages. A multiplier, which is usually calculated based on medical costs, is added to the quantifiable expenses to determine the amount of settlement for non-economic damages. Serious injuries and auto accident permanent impairments typically result in higher settlement amounts than minor or temporary injuries.
A car accident is an incredibly stressful experience that can alter your life forever. The amount of a settlement won't erase these losses but it can assist victims to overcome their financial burdens and return to normal.
A lawyer experienced in car accidents with experience will be able to evaluate your case and advocate for an amount that is as high as possible. While it may be tempting to settle for less than you deserve, it could jeopardize your future recovery. After you sign an agreement to settle, you are giving up the option to file additional claims or bring a lawsuit in court for any other losses relating to the accident.