Car accident injuries can cause a number of financial issues including medical bills, lost wages and vehicle repair costs. An experienced attorney will help you determine the full extent of your losses and file a claim to obtain fair compensation.
Your attorney will know what to say when asked by insurance adjusters and will steer you clear of statements that could hurt your case. They will also have experience negotiating with insurers to reject low-ball offers. Contact Car Accident Attorney Duluth GA now!
A car accident can cause serious injuries, leaving you needing medical treatment and possibly time off work. As a result, you have expenses piling up and you might have to take out loans or credit cards. This can be distressing because it means you have more debt to pay back and it can also interfere with your financial stability, making it harder to cover other expenses.
If you have health insurance, it will pay for some of your medical bills. However, you might still be responsible for co-pays and deductibles, depending on the terms of your coverage. Your lawyer can help you get the most out of your health insurance. They can also help you make sure Medicare or Medicaid is put on notice of your injury, and they can assist you in obtaining pre-settlement financing to cover any medical bills not covered by insurance.
Victims who are badly hurt in a car accident often have substantial medical bills, including costs for ambulance rides, emergency room visits, surgeries, follow-up care, physical therapy, and more. They may also have ancillary expenses like prescription drugs and medical equipment, such as wheelchairs and other necessary adaptive devices. The damages awarded for a car accident can help compensate victims for the cost of these and other related expenses.
In addition to covering medical bills, compensation for a car accident can also address lost income, pain and suffering, and property damage. A skilled car accident attorney can ensure all of these types of damages are included in a settlement or verdict award.
The first step in a car accident case is an investigation of the scene of the crash by law enforcement. Officers will interview witnesses, look for evidence of negligence, and write up a report to file with the Department of Motor Vehicles. They will note the cause of the crash and identify any citations that could have been issued to either driver. This is a very important step, as it can help establish what happened and who was at fault. However, it’s just the beginning of a multifaceted legal process that can last months or even years.
Lost Wages
Car accident injuries can lead to lost wages, including overtime and supplemental pay. A car accident attorney can help you pursue compensation for these financial losses. It is also possible to claim future lost earnings as part of your damages, especially if your injuries will interfere with your ability to work in the future. This is a form of damage called diminished future earning capacity, which is a type of economic damages that compensates you for your inability to earn the same amount of income you could have expected to in the absence of the injury.
Calculating your lost earnings is a complex process that involves many different elements. Your lawyer can guide you through the process and gather the appropriate documents to support your claim. This can include paystubs, wage verification letters from your employer, tax returns and W-2s, profit-and-loss statements, invoices, banking-related correspondence, and other proof of income.
In addition to your actual lost wages, you can also seek reimbursement for missed vacation days, sick days and other paid time off. It is critical to maintain meticulous records of your missed workdays, supported by medical documentation, to substantiate your claim.
Insurance companies try to minimize the value of injury claims by arguing that your missed work was due to external factors rather than your injuries. An experienced legal team can anticipate these tactics and fight against them.
A skilled car accident attorney can also help you get the compensation you deserve for other costs related to your injury, such as hospital bills, surgery, physical therapy, prescription medications and assistive devices. The at-fault driver’s liability bodily injury coverage can provide for these expenses. If the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured, you can use your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage to cover these expenses.
Damages
Car accident victims can suffer from serious injuries, such as lacerations, broken bones, brain trauma, or internal organ damage. These injuries can require weeks of medical and rehabilitative treatment, costing thousands of dollars. They may also experience ongoing emotional impacts from the crash, including anxiety and depression. A car accident attorney can help victims obtain compensation from the at-fault party to cover these costs and other associated damages.
They can review your claim to make sure that you are filing for all of the damages to which you are entitled. A lawyer can also hire experts and gather evidence to support your case. They can even negotiate with the insurance company and take your case to court if needed.
Car accident attorneys can be your advocate in the face of aggressive insurance companies that are seeking to minimize or deny your claim. These professionals are ethically required to always act with your best interests in mind. They will ensure that your side of the story is heard, and that you are fairly compensated for your losses.
When building your claim, a lawyer will consider all of the ways that your injury has affected your life. This includes current and future medical treatment costs, loss of income due to missed work, and ongoing emotional impact from the collision. An attorney can also calculate your pain and suffering and other non-monetary damages.
A car accident attorney will know the laws in your state, including any time limitations imposed on filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. They will also be familiar with any special exceptions that could apply to your case. For example, minors generally have more time to file a lawsuit than adults.
A good car accident attorney will be available to you throughout your case, and should promptly return phone calls and emails. They should also have a track record of successfully pursuing compensation for car accident victims. Before hiring an attorney, it is important to schedule a free consultation to assess their skills and determine if they are the right fit for your case. They should also be upfront about their fees, and how much they will charge for their services. Many car accident lawyers offer contingency fee agreements, meaning you only pay if they win your case.
Insurance Claims
Car accident attorneys play many roles in their work, from being a form of support through a traumatic experience to knowledgeable professionals that build a strong case on your behalf. They investigate circumstances surrounding the crash, gather evidence, communicate and negotiate with insurance companies and may even take your case to trial if necessary.
Car accidents are one of the most common forms of personal injury cases that lawyers handle today. While cars have become a staple in American society and advancements in technology have led to improved safety features, automobile accidents continue to be quite common and can result in serious injuries.
The first step in a successful car accident claim involves ensuring that your medical needs are met. This can be achieved through a thorough exam and diagnosis by a qualified physician. The doctor’s report will help your attorney determine the extent of your injury and whether it is permanent, significant or temporary. The report will also help the lawyer decide whether it is prudent to settle with an insured and if you should go beyond the insurance company in order to recover a more substantial judgment.
A skilled lawyer will be able to counter the various arguments that the insurance company will use to reduce your claim or deny it altogether. These include allegations of pre-existing conditions, the severity of your injuries and how your injuries have affected you physically, emotionally and professionally. A lawyer will know exactly what to look for and will be able to counter these accusations with the relevant documentation.
After the initial consultation with your lawyer, you will likely be contacted by an insurance adjuster. These representatives are working for the insurance company to increase their profitability by diminishing your claims. It is important that you do not speak with them without your lawyer present.
A lawyer can also help you pursue compensation for additional damages resulting from the crash such as loss of consortium and emotional distress. Additionally, they will advise you on whether it is appropriate to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver or if the no-fault system in New York limits your ability to do so.