What You Get From an Auto Accident Settlement

The amount of money you receive from a car accident settlement will depend on the severity of your injuries. Medical bills are higher for injuries that are more severe.

Documenting your losses will help you maximize your settlement. Lawyers can help you create an inventory of damages, including doctor's notes, wage records, as well as eyewitness testimonies.

Medical bills

When people are injured in an automobile accident medical bills are often on their minds. In most personal injury cases, the law covers these costs. It can take a few months or, in some instances years, before the at-fault driver is held liable through the court or settlement agreement, however. In the meantime, victims incur medical bills that must be paid.

Car accident injuries usually require extensive medical treatment which includes surgery and physical therapy. The resulting medical expenses can be quite high. It is important that victims are aware that they shouldn't have to pay their own medical expenses following an accident. Instead the at-fault driver should be held accountable for these costs as part their accident settlement.

In some instances the at-fault party may pay the victim's medical bills directly. In other instances, the victim's health insurance, or med-pay policy will pay for these costs in the event that they increase. Depending on the victim's situation and type of insurance coverage, these expenses could be covered under rolling claims.

In certain situations, a hospital or health insurance company could make a lien against the victim's settlement. A lawyer with experience can negotiate these liens to bring more money into the pockets of the victim.

Loss of wages

A car accident could have a devastating effect on your finances. In addition to medical costs and property damage you could be required to pay for lost wages because of your injuries. New York law requires car insurance policies to reimburse you for your lost income, up to a specific amount. Your lawyer will fight to secure the full amount of your lost wages.

Paystubs, as well as other wage documents are the most popular way to prove lost income. Other relevant documents are bank statements, invoices and correspondence for self-employed workers. Correspondence from your employer which confirms the number of days/hours you were absent from work because of the injuries you sustained is also important.

If you have an injury that is permanent and reduces or prevents your earning potential the money you deserve, your lawyer will talk to an economist or financial expert in order to determine your future earning potential. In this scenario the expert will evaluate your education, age, credentials, training and career progression, as well as the job duties you are unable to no longer carry out.

Our Syracuse car accident lawyers typically represent clients who have been seriously injured in accidents and are disabled from working. Not only do they have the right to compensation for lost wages due to accidents that weren't their responsibility, but they may also be eligible to receive additional compensation from the insurance of the car owner or driver who was at fault.

Pain and suffering

Car accident victims deserve compensation for the emotional trauma and pain they suffer after an accident. Insurance companies tend to overlook emotional pain and distress because they are not able to be documented through photographs or x-rays. This is why it is crucial to have a qualified personal injury lawyer in your corner when dealing with the insurer of the driver at fault.

Your Queens injury attorney can help you gather evidence to back your claim. For instance, a victim's medical bills or written official diagnoses can be used to prove the severity of their injuries. A journal or diary that begins on the day of the accident and lasts throughout recovery may also record symptoms of emotional distress and physical pain.

The severity of your injuries can determine the amount of your settlement. A spinal cord injury, or a severe head trauma, for example could result in a larger settlement than a minor sprain that heals in three weeks.

The value of your injuries is an important aspect that will affect the settlement you receive for your auto accident. Your lawyer will assist in making a calculation of your damages, and then build a strong case for you to get the full amount of compensation you are entitled to. To find out more about the kinds of damages 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 pay victims of car accidents for financial losses. The amount of compensation will depend on the severity and severity of the injuries suffered by the victim, in addition to the amount of money they have lost because of their absence from work or property damage.

Additionally, an award will also include non-economic damages, such as suffering and pain. These damages are not easily quantifiable, however insurance companies use formulas to determine how they will be able to cover these types of damages. A multiplier, often dependent on medical expenses is added to the quantifiable costs to calculate a settlement amount for non-economic damages. Serious injuries and permanent impairments typically result in higher awards than minor or temporary injuries.

A car crash is traumatizing and could alter your life. Although settlement won't be enough to erase the losses, it will offer a financial aid that can help victims overcome their financial hardships and bring some order back to their lives.

A skilled lawyer for car accidents will know how to assess your case and advocate for the highest possible settlement. Although it might be appealing to settle for less than what you deserve, it could jeopardize your future recovery. After you sign a settlement agreement, it is understood that you have given up the right to file further claims or sue in court for any additional losses related to the accident.