If you have suffered injuries in a car accident, you may be eligible for financial compensation that will cover the cost of your injury treatments and other related needs. Before you can get any form of recovery, an insurance company will be involved. But, you probably have no idea about the worth of your injuries or the process you should go through to collect damages. Because of this, you may end up fighting with an insurance company in an attempt to recover the money you need and deserve while your medical bills are piling up. This is the reason the entire claims process is stressful, frustrating, and challenging for most people. However, you don’t need to go through the burden alone. An experienced auto accident attorney can take most of the burdens off your shoulders, ensuring you focus on your healing and recovery. If you are filing a car accident claim and what to seek maximum compensation for your injuries and losses, this guide can help you achieve your goals:
Factors that Can Influence the Amount of Monetary Compensation You Can Receive
The following factors will go into determining your car accident settlement’s value. But, the best way to know the amount you can expect is to consult with a skilled legal expert.
- Who caused the accident? When your accident occurred because of one party, you may be able to recover all of your damage costs. However, when you contributed to the crash, your financial recovery may be reduced. In Arizona, your damages will be reduced based on your percentage of fault.
- Your injuries. The kind and severity of injuries you sustain will influence how much you can recover. Often, the more serious your injuries are, the bigger the settlement or verdict amount you may receive. Also, your claim’s value will increase if you suffered permanent damages or impairments.
- The amount of insurance available. Often, the maximum amount of money you can get depends on the insurance policy limit of the at-fault driver. But, you may pursue the driver for damages beyond their insurance coverage by initiating formal litigation.
- Vehicle damage. If your vehicle sustained damages in the accident, your insurance may cover the repair costs. If the vehicle was totaled, your insurer may help replace your car and cover the costs of renting a car.
Maximizing Your Compensation
Although there is no specific amount of money you can recover for your car-accident-related injuries, you can take steps to maximize your compensation. This includes the following:
- Seeking medical assistance. After the crash, you should seek medical attention immediately even if you think you are fine. A doctor will examine your body to determine possible injuries that are still not obvious and give you medical treatment. They can also document your injuries from the crash, which your attorney will need when you pursue legal damages.
- Gathering evidence. After a vehicle crash, you should gather important evidence to prove your injury claim. This includes photos and videos of the crash scene that include your visible injuries, the cars involved, any road hazards, traffic signs, and the weather when the accident occurred. In addition, you should get the contact and insurance information of the other driver involved. Also collect information of any witnesses who are there at the scene.
- Minimize communication with insurance companies. After the accident, insurance companies will contact you to request statements. But, you must be wary of giving statements to them especially if you have not consulted an attorney. When you speak with an insurance adjuster, try to limit your talks on the basics related to your accident. The more you talk the more you could end up saying something that can indicate an admission of fault.
- Seek legal assistance. You must get in touch with a skilled car accident attorney as soon as possible after the crash. This way, your lawyer can begin gathering evidence they can use to prove your claim and handle communications with the insurance company.
Damages You Can Recover
If you have been injured in a car crash in Tucson, you can recover economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. Economic damages include expenses like medical bills, personal property damages, lost wages, rehab services costs, and household services costs. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, mental anguish, as well as loss of companionship, enjoyment of life, and consortium. Meanwhile, Courts in Arizona award punitive damages when the at-fault driver had ill will toward you and caused the accident intentionally. This type of damage is meant to punish the defendant for their actions and discourage other drivers from acting in the same way in the future.
Car accident claims are complicated. There are several steps and factors involved that can impact your financial compensation. However, an experienced lawyer can help you navigate the complex process and ensure you understand what is going on each step of the way.
