A car accident can result in serious injuries and other damages. You have the right to talk to a lawyer before you talk to an insurance company, but you also have the right to fight the insurance company on your own. Make an informed choice. The moments following an automobile wreck can be confusing, painful and overwhelming. You could be left with mental or physical injuries from the accident and questions on the best way to move forward.
One of the things car accident victims consider is whether to hire a car accident attorney. After a wreck, you should immediately call a seasoned lawyer that knows how to get you the compensation you need to cover your losses.
The damages you can collect for a car accident will depend on the specifics of your case and the losses you suffered. It might also depend on the other party’s level of negligence.
The following types of damages are common in personal injury cases following car accidents. Keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive, and you could pursue financial recovery for practically any cost you incurred that relates to the accident.
Economic damages: such as the exact costs of the medical bills and the amount of lost wages that an injured accident victim missed out on.
Non-economic damages: amounts that may not have an actual, numerical “price” associated with them but still have a negative impact on the victim’s life. These may include the pain and suffering that the victim experienced, scarring and disfigurement, lost earning capacity, and future medical expenses (if the injuries are permanent).
Punitive damages are awarded by a jury or judge when the defendant (person responsible for causing the accident) exhibited gross negligence or intentional misconduct – a recklessness that the court wants to punish in order to prevent others from exhibiting the same behavior in the future.
A successful auto accident lawsuit depends on whether you can prove liability in court. Proving liability may be trickier than you think. Even if the police and witnesses reports state the other driver was at fault, proving that they were careless enough to breach a duty of care to you can be tough.
The most common losses and expenses our firm fights for include:
Property damage
Past and future medical costs
Lost wages
Loss of earning potential
Pain and suffering
Emotional anguish
Loss of consortium (spousal relationship)
Loss of enjoyment of life
Potential Evidence You Need to Provide
Whether you’re filing a case in court or filing a claim with the insurance company, it’s vital that you gather as much evidence as possible. The more documentation you have to support your losses, the more likely you are to get a settlement that covers your injuries and property damages.
Strong evidence in a car accident case includes:
Police reports. Law officers are required to fill out an accident report whenever they attend to an accident scene. You may have to pay a fee for a copy of the police report, but the cost is usually minimal—and it’s worth it, if the police officer made any observations that help your case. If the officer’s report says you aren’t at fault, you have a good chance at compensation.
Photographs. Pictures are invaluable to your case. Common photos include the position of the vehicles after the crash, the damage done to both vehicles, the appearance of skid marks, the position of road signs and traffic lights, and photos of your injuries.
Eyewitnesses. The police report may include the names and contact information of the other driver as well as any witnesses that were at the scene. Any one of these people may be called to give their testimony regarding what they saw at the crash scene.
Medical records. You should have copies of all of your medical bills, including receipts for amounts both due and paid. You should also have copies of medical procedures, scans, tests, and treatment beginning on the day of the crash to the current date.
Property damage estimates. It’s important to have all records relating to the damage to your vehicle, not just a repair estimate and car rental receipt. Some supporting evidence many people overlook is documentation of the condition of the vehicle before the crash, such as recent upgrades or improvements that increased the value of the car. Car maintenance records can also help prove that your car was in good working order and the crash wasn’t caused by a problem with your vehicle.
Items from the day of the crash. If your case goes to court, personal items may be admitted as evidence to show the extent of your loss, such as clothing you were wearing at the time of the accident, or the recording of your 911 call.
Strong evidence in your case is not only required to prove you weren’t at fault, but also impact how much you’re awarded in your claim. A forgotten out-of-pocket expense will leave you with less than you deserve for your medical costs, while doubt regarding fault may cost you thousands in pain and suffering damages
It is highly advisable that you enlist the services of an accident attorney who is experienced in personal injury claims. An experienced accident lawyer can provide references to cases and citations that support your cause.
Contact Our Florida Car Accident Attorney Today!
If you have additional questions or you would like to schedule a free consultation regarding an auto accident, an experienced accident lawyer from our The Segal Law firm can help. We are committed to protecting victims’ rights, and you can rest assured that our attorney will handle your case with the due care it deserves.
If you have suffered an injury in an auto accident because of another party’s negligent and reckless actions, contact us right away and get immediate free consultation.