What Can I Get Paid For Car Accident That Was Not My Fault?
Even if you’re a careful driver, a sad fact of life is that others on the road may not exercise the same caution. You may be in a collision due to no fault of your own. If you were in a car accident that you didn’t cause, it is understandable to be worried about how to pay for your bills. This doesn’t even take into account the costs of your injuries, vehicle damage, and other expenses. Car accident lawyers want you to know that you have a legal right to seek financial recovery for all of your damages.
You are entitled to make an insurance claim for damages you face after a car accident you didn’t cause. An attorney who specializes in these cases can help you make sure you include all the damages in your claim to which you are entitled.
Who Is Responsible for the Costs of a Car Accident?
If you live in an at-fault state like Oregon or Georgia, the person who caused the accident is responsible for all costs. Of course, it doesn’t typically come out of their pocket, but rather that driver’s auto insurance company. The other driver’s insurance will be legally required to pay for your expenses through a third-party claim.
Insurance companies are for-profit and will look for ways to pay you less than what you need and deserve. This is where it’s absolutely crucial to have a car accident lawyer on your side. Your attorney will stand up to the insurance company and compile evidence of your damages. Your car accident lawyer can also help you calculate all your costs, including those that may be harder to quantify.
How Much Money Can You Recover After a Car Accident?
When the insurance company covers your costs, they’ll write you a settlement check. This amount greatly varies depending on the severity of the accident and your costs. The most common damages include:
Medical Expenses
You’ll need to see a doctor as soon as possible after your car accident, even if your injuries don’t seem too bad. You could have issues that worsen with time or become more painful after the adrenaline has worn off. It’s important to account for all medical costs like:
- Doctor visits
- Medical bills
- Prescription medications
- Chiropractic treatment
- Surgeries
- Tests
- Rehabilitation
- Physical therapy
Vehicle Damage
If your car, truck, SUV, or van is damaged in the accident,, you can include those damages in your claim.
Missed Wages
If you had to miss work because of the accident and your injuries, these lost wages can be included in your settlement amount.
Pain and Suffering Damages
These damages are harder to calculate, as they are meant to make up for non-financial losses. The amount you should ask for pain and suffering after a car accident depends on how severe the accident and your injuries were, as well as how both impacted you. These can include emotional damages, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of a loved one, or disfigurement from injuries.
We encourage you to contact a car accident lawyer as soon as you can in order to learn more about your legal options. Likely, you will find that you will get paid much more for your car accident if you have a legal professional fighting on your side.