Posted in Car Accidents on February 20, 2023
If you or somebody you love sustains an injury or property damage in a vehicle accident caused by the negligence of another driver, you should be able to recover compensation. This compensation could come through a settlement with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier or as a result of a personal injury lawsuit against the other party. Here, we want to explore how much your vehicle accident claim could be worth. No two vehicle accident cases are exactly alike, and there are various factors that can influence settlement amounts.
Examining Medical Costs
Perhaps the most important aspect of a car accident case revolves around medical bills. If you sustain injuries as a result of an accident caused by another party, you should not be on the line for paying anything out-of-pocket. Medical expenses after a crash can be far-reaching and could include the following:
- Emergency medical service expenses
- Emergency room costs
- Coverage of any hospital stay
- Follow-up doctor visits
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation
- Medical devices and prescription medications
- Any necessary in-home medical care
In addition to these costs, coverage of transportation to and from medical visits should also be covered through any final insurance settlement or personal injury jury verdict.
Property Damage Expenses
Individuals need a vehicle, which is why it is imperative to ensure they get the repairs paid for by the other party. The total property damage value will depend on several factors, including the overall value of your vehicle, the depreciation of the vehicle, and whether or not the insurance carrier thinks it is worth it to even repair the vehicle. In some cases, the vehicle could be considered a total loss, in which case the insurance carrier will pay the actual cash value of the vehicle up to the limits of the policy.
In addition to vehicle expenses, any other property damaged as a result of the accident should also be covered. This can include cell phones, laptops, sunglasses, clothing, and any other property.
Other Expenses Related to a Vehicle Accident
There are various other expenses related to vehicle accidents that may be covered as a result of an insurance settlement or personal injury jury verdict. For instance, if a crash victim is unable to work as a result of their injuries, they may be able to recover lost wages and loss of future earnings if they sustain a disability.
Depending on the severity of the injury, an individual may need help modifying their home or vehicle to aid with mobility, particularly if they sustain any level of paralysis.
Finally, it is possible to recover various types of non-economic damages, such as physical and emotional pain and suffering damages. Usually, these types of losses are recoverable through a civil personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
Insurance Settlement or Lawsuit?
Most car accident claims in California are resolved through settlements with insurance carriers, but that is not always the case. If the insurance carriers or at-fault party refuses to offer a fair settlement, it may be necessary for you and your attorney to file a civil personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. We encourage you not to jump at settling right away. First settlement offers are usually far below what you should actually receive. Let an attorney handle all communication and negotiations with the other party and work towards recovering fair compensation on your behalf.