What You Get From an Auto Accident Settlement

The amount 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 these losses can help you maximize your settlement. Your lawyer can compile the complete list of damages that include doctors' notes, wage documentation, and eyewitness testimony.

Medical bills

Medical expenses are usually the first thing that people think about when injured in a car crash. In most personal injury cases, the law covers the costs. It may take months or in some cases years, before the at-fault driver is held liable through the court or settlement agreement, however. In the meantime, victims accumulate medical bills that must be paid.

Car accident injuries often require extensive medical treatment including surgery and physical therapy. The resulting medical expenses can be quite high. It is vital that the victims realize that they shouldn't be obligated to pay for their own medical expenses following the crash. Instead the driver at fault should be responsible for them as part of their settlement.

In certain instances, a person at fault is required to pay directly for medical expenses of the victim. In some instances, the victim’s health insurance coverage or med-pay may pay for these costs as they are accumulated. Based on the individual's situation and the type of insurance coverage, these expenses could be covered under rolling claims.

In certain cases hospitals or health insurance provider will create a lien against a portion of the victim's final settlement. Fortunately, an experienced lawyer will assist in negotiating these liens in order to get more money into the victim's pocket.

Lost wages

A car accident can cause havoc to your finances. You may also have to pay lost wages due to injuries, in addition to medical bills as well as property damages. New York law requires that your car insurance policy compensate you for income loss up to a specific amount. Your lawyer will fight for the full amount of your missed earnings.

Paystubs or other forms of documentation for wages are the most commonly used method to prove income loss. Other relevant documents are bank statements, invoices, and correspondence if you were self-employed. Correspondence from your employer which confirms the number of days/hours that you missed work because of the injuries you sustained is also important.

If you are suffering from a permanent injury which reduces or prevents your ability to earn, your lawyer will consult an economist or financial professional to determine your earning potential. In this case the expert will evaluate your age, education level and qualifications, as well as your career path, and job tasks you are no longer competent to perform.

At Michaels Bersani Kalabanka, our Syracuse car accident lawyers frequently see clients who are severely injured in accidents and are no longer work. They are not just entitled to lost wages without fault, but they may also be able to obtain additional compensation from the at-fault driver's or owner's insurer.

Pain and suffering

Car accident victims are entitled to compensation for the emotional trauma and pain they suffer after an accident. However, because emotional pain and physical pain are not captured in a photo or documented by x-rays insurance companies often deny these losses. It is important to have a seasoned personal injury lawyer to represent you when dealing with the insurance company of the person who was at fault.

Your Queens injury attorney can help you gather evidence to support your claim. Medical bills and official diagnosis, for example, can be used to demonstrate the severity of a victim's injuries. A journal or diary that starts on the date of the accident and continues through recovery can also show signs of emotional distress and physical pain.

The extent of your injury can affect the settlement you receive. For instance, a severe spinal cord injury or severe brain trauma could result in a greater amount than a minor head injury that resolved in three weeks.

The amount of your injuries are a critical element that will impact the amount of your valparaiso auto accident lawyer accident settlement. Your lawyer will assist you in calculating your damages and building an argument that is strong enough for you to get the full amount you are entitled to. To find out more about the types of damages that can be awarded in the course of a New York auto accident lawsuit contact an experienced lawyer.

Damages

As we've already discussed settlement awards are designed to compensate victims of car accidents for their financial losses. The amount will vary depending on the severity of a person's injuries and the amount they've lost because of lost work or property damage.

A verdict will also include noneconomic damages such as suffering and pain. Insurance companies use an equation to calculate the amount to pay. These damages are hard to quantify however they can be determined. A multiplier, usually determined by medical expenses, is added to the quantifiable costs to determine a settlement amount for non-economic damages. Major injuries and permanent impairments typically are awarded higher settlements than minor injuries or temporary injuries.

A car accident is a devastating event and the financial losses that come with it can be life-altering. While the amount of a settlement will not erase these losses, it should offer a financial aid that can help a victim overcome their financial burdens and restore some normality to their lives.

A skilled car accident lawyer is able to evaluate your case and advocate for the most lucrative settlement. Although it might be appealing to settle for less than what you are entitled to, this could hinder your future recovery. You waive your right to sue or file further claims for the accident when you sign the settlement agreement.