What Damages Can You Claim in an Accident Lawsuit?
It can be difficult to determine the amount of damages you’re entitled to following a car crash. A good lawyer will help you make sense of the settlement process and will ensure you receive the appropriate compensation for your short-term as well as long-term losses.
A lawsuit usually involves filing a claim and then going through a discovery phase which can last between a few weeks and more than one year. During this period your lawyer will gather medical records, talk to witnesses, and collect crash reports.
Medical Treatment
Medical treatment is an integral part of most accident lawsuits. The injured victims require medical records and bills to prove their injuries, that the accident caused them, and the amount of suffering they’ve suffered.
However, a lot of victims do not seek medical attention following the incident for various reasons. They may have felt fine at the moment or not certain if they are injured. Or perhaps they are rushed to get home and just need to rest after the accident. Whatever the reason they choose to not visit a doctor this could impact their claim for compensation.
A doctor is the only person to confirm that an injury was caused by the accident law firm. They can also determine the cause of an injury and create the treatment plan. It is important to speak with your doctor immediately following a car accident. It is crucial to follow-up with any doctors or specialist that are referred, and take any prescribed medication, and attend any follow-up appointment scheduled.
Insurance companies will examine your medical records to see the severity of your injuries. They might also attempt to make use of them against you, making the argument that an injury you say you have is actually a pre-existing condition or that it was caused by something other than the accident. You can avoid this by ensuring that you consult a reputable doctor who is aware of what to look for and will give you with the correct documents.
Additionally, a doctor will determine the length of time your treatment will last and when you will be at the point of maximum medical improvement (MMI). MMI is a term that means that you’ve reached a point at which your injury cannot be expected to improve with additional treatments, but you are not likely to get better. This can help your attorney determine how much compensation are owed for your medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and suffering. This could be used to boost an settlement for insurance. Correct and complete medical records also allow you to avoid missing deadlines for payments that could have serious financial implications.
Property Damages
Property damage is a kind of loss that could be compensated in an accident lawsuit. It could be your car that has been damaged or the broken items that are in your home because of negligence. Note the damage and the much it cost to fix or replace the item. This will allow you to get fair compensation for the loss. This is where an attorney can assist, as they will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to secure you a greater settlement.
If they’re not willing to make you a reasonable offer Your lawyer will file a lawsuit against the person at fault. The document will explain your legal reasoning behind the incident, and explain the reason why their insurer is responsible for any injuries you suffer under NY law. The defendant or their lawyer will respond to the complaint either by accepting it or denouncing it. They may also attempt to shift blame by bringing a cross-claim or counter-claim against you.
During the discovery process, both sides will communicate information and documents in a formal way. This includes writing questions (called interrogatories) and the right to inspect another party’s property, or to hire experts to prove their side of the case. This is an important part of the litigation process since it could reveal information that neither party knew about before. This can have a significant impact on the result of a case, particularly if the other party is attempting to conceal evidence or refuse to accept the responsibility.
Your Long Island accident lawyer will use the information obtained from this process to draft an official letter to be addressed to the insurance company of the party who is at blame. The letter will outline that the defendant is responsible for the accident, why their insured is liable for your losses as per NY law, and then seek a settlement. The insurance company will usually respond with a counteroffer, and the negotiation process will begin.
Sometimes, both parties agree to settle the case before trial. This can be a beneficial solution for all parties, particularly because trial can be a lengthy and risky process. Most car accident lawsuits are settled outside of court because it is less expensive, quicker and less stressful for all parties.
Lost Wages
You could be eligible for compensation for the loss of wages due to your injuries in an accident. This type of compensation may assist you in getting back to the financial situation you have been in if you hadn’t lost work time while recovering. When seeking this type of compensation, you should be prepared to provide documents that prove your claim. These documents could include pay stubs and tax documents.
You must be aware that lost wages comprise of the overall category of damages known as «economic damages». Economic damages are paid to pay for expenses directly related to your injury or accident. Therefore lost income is just part of your overall compensation package, which includes other expenses like medical treatment, property damage and pain and suffering.
In order to prove the loss of your wages, you will need proof of the amount of time you were absent from work as a direct consequence of the accident and your resulting injuries. This could be a letter from your employer, which includes relevant information, including the dates you were absent from work and the current wage and the number of hours you typically work in a week. You can also attach other documents that support your claim, like bank statements or profit and loss reports receipts, or other financial data.
Your attorney can review the documents and data you submit to the insurance companies to make sure everything is accurate and complete before you file an insurance claim for lost wages. This is vital since if you’re not careful, any misstatements in these documents could cause a denial for this portion of your damages.
A personal injury lawyer will also handle all communications with insurance companies about your claim, which will save you valuable time and energy. Your attorney can bargain with insurance companies provide evidence that supports your claim and propose an fair settlement.
It can be difficult to recover from serious injuries, particularly if you have to deal with the insurance company. McIntyre Law’s legal team will help you deal directly with the insurance company of the responsible party, file a suit if necessary and seek compensation for lost wages.
Pain and Suffering
Injured victims can seek compensation for pain and suffering which is not a monetary amount. It covers any physical and emotional pain or discomfort that an accident victim suffers due to their injuries. This type of damage is more difficult to quantify than medical bills or lost wages. It requires more evidence, including witness testimony or the victim’s own declarations.
Pain is the most obvious component of pain and suffering damages but it can also encompass many other things as well. It could refer to any discomfort that you feel in your body because of your injury, which includes bruises and abrasions. It also covers your feelings, such as anxiety and fear as well as depression. It may also be a financial loss, for example, the amount that you lose because of your inability to take part in activities you enjoyed before your accident.
There are a variety of methods of calculating the amount of suffering and pain. The method you decide to use will depend on the specifics of your particular case. Certain insurance companies employ a multiplier approach, where the actual damages you suffer are weighed and then multiplied by a number that is based on the severity of your injury to determine an estimate for your pain and suffering. A judge or jury will make a final determination regarding the value of your suffering and pain.
If you’re unsure of the value of your pain suffering is worth, it might be beneficial to consult an attorney for personal injuries. They can assist you to be aware of the various elements that cause pain and suffer and provide a full account of your experience that can be used as proof of the impact of the accident on your life.
A lot of people are reluctant to speak about their pain and suffering because they don’t want be perceived as complainers, but it is essential to do this when you’re trying to receive fair compensation for your accident. A lawyer can help you gather evidence to prove the severity of your injury. This includes vignettes and stories that demonstrate the way you lived your life prior to and after the accident.