Car accidents lead to substantial financial burdens to victims, especially those forced to stay away from work for healing. However, most victims aren’t aware of making car accident claims and accept settlement offers even before they ascertain the value of their claims.
Without the right knowledge, you may get a relatively lower amount in damages than you would have recovered with a lawyer. For the best outcomes, it would help if you reach out to Pacific West Injury Law by calling or texting (702) 602-4878. The experts will help you recover the deserved compensation for lost wages, injuries, property damage, or medical bills.
Types of Damage
Typically, damages are compensated on actual losses suffered. Here are the different types of car accident damages:
Property Damage
If the accident leads to damages to your personal property, you can claim for replacement or repairs. Usually, the most obvious of the different properties is the car itself. But other claims may include shoes, clothing, jewelry, and other items.
Bodily Injuries or Medical Expenses
Bodily injuries and medical expenses are a vital component of economic car accident damages. These include any cost that resulted from the accident and the estimated future medical care and treatment costs.
The compensation may cover the following:
- Ambulance costs
- Health facility stays
- Necessary in-home care
- Surgeries
- Medication
- Prosthetic devices
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Medical appointments
- Cognitive therapy
Loss of Consortium
If the accident left someone with a disabling condition that hinders them from enjoying normal relationship affection with their spouse, the partner would be eligible for a consortium loss claim.
However, they can only earn compensation if the victim succeeds on their personal injury claim since the consortium loss is derivative.
Pain and Suffering
The pain and suffering that a car accident victim experiences form part of the intangible, non-economic damages. The law provides for recovery of the pain and suffering resulting from the accident alongside the resultant injuries.
Calculating Pain and Suffering
One of the most challenging elements during personal injury settlement negotiations is figuring out the value of pain and suffering. Typically, there’s no industry standard or procedure for computing these damages.
Fortunately, working with a reliable car accident lawyer in Las Vegas could help you determine whether the insurance provider has proposed a fair award or you should appeal for something higher. You’re entitled to claim a higher amount if you feel that the provided compensation doesn’t match the suffering and pain you’ve endured to date.
For a free legal consultation, call 702-602-HURT
Dealing with Insurance Companies
You’re probably wondering the best way to handle insurance companies to settle your injury claim or property damage and let you move on with life.
Even if the accident is the other party’s mistake, avoid any attempt to settle your claim directly with them. Typically, this will be a conversation with their auto insurance company, and working with an injury lawyer will serve your best interests.
How Your Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
If the accident is simple, has minimal property damages or personal injuries, and the fault isn’t disputed, claim settlement can be relatively easy. You may not even need legal representation. But if the responsibility is contested, or you’re injured, the matter can be more complicated.
Working with a reputable car accident attorney in such instances would benefit in the following ways:
- Protecting you from early, unsubstantial settlements
- Preventing you from issuing statements that might damage your case
- Gathering necessary, sufficient evidence to prove your case
- Ascertaining fault in the incidence
- Compensation calculation
Most of the time, lawyers represent personal injury victims under a contingency fee. Here, you’ll not be required to pay any upfront fees, and they’ll get their payment once the case concludes in your favor. This can be through a civil court trial or an agreed favorable settlement.
Once done, the attorney will collect the discussed percentage. The industry standard is usually about 33% of the entire settlement amount. If your case resolves before filing a lawsuit, the lawyer may part with a lesser amount. Their cut grows as the case progresses.
Investigating Your Accident
This is a crucial phase in your filing process for the car accident claim. Here, your attorney thoroughly investigates your case while taking vital steps to make your claim credible and strong.
The investigation may involve the following:
- Interviewing witnesses.
- Reviewing the police report or medical records.
- Accounting for the resultant economic damages.
- Consulting with healthcare professionals.
- Creating a practical legal strategy based on the facts in your case.
Filing Your Claim
Unless you’ve had a solo vehicle accident and can take care of the resultant damages, it’s always necessary to file a claim after the incident. If you don’t do it and the other driver makes a claim, it could affect your capacity to get coverage.
You (or your attorney) should make the call immediately after the accident and avoid mentioning anything that places you at fault. Filing your claim begins with contacting your insurer. Their contact details are on the insurance card information, most likely in your car’s glove compartment or online.
It’s always a great idea to let your personal injury attorney in Las Vegas make the call. After a crash, you may not be in the right shape to provide valuable and accurate details. Understandably, the process can be traumatic, leaving you emotional and stressed.
If possible, keep a detailed record of events. Essential details and documents include a police report copy, medical receipts and forms, and the other driver or witnesses’ names and contact details. Also, take pictures of the property damaged and physical injuries.
Settling Your Case
You’ll likely receive a settlement offer before trial either from the at-fault party or their insurance provider. Once the settlement offer gets to you, your attorney will ensure your rights are protected by negotiating the terms that favor your interests.
If the settlement offer doesn’t entice you, the case may progress to trial.
Let a Pacific West Injury Attorney Maximize Your Compensation
You need a Pacific West personal injury attorney who’s compassionate, honest, and dedicated to your cause. We can help you get your deserved compensation for car accident injuries, lost wages, medical bills, or loss of consortium, and compute a fair estimate for pain and suffering. Call us at (702) 602-4878 and get the help you need.
Call or text 702-602-HURT or complete a Free Case Evaluation form