Car accidents happen every day and in some cases they are a life-changing event in more ways than one. However, finding yourself in such a stressful and sometimes nearly fatal situation, also brings a lot of financial costs. Aside from damage on the car itself, some people get seriously injured and have to get time off work to recuperate.
With the health issues, you really don’t need the burden of debt on your shoulders. Thankfully, there are options that can help you to recover your expenses. Let’s take a look at what steps you should take after an accident so you could get back the money you lost due to that horrific event.
Types of Damages
People who have been in a car crash have to face economic and/or non-economic damages. The first type refers to all the expenses you have due to medical reasons. Many people sustain more or less serious injuries and have to undergo a series of exams and treatments. All this is documented in a medical report which you can use later if you decide to file a personal injury claim.
Given the fact that some victims are not able to work for some time or even permanently, providing money for the bills can be a really hard task. When it comes to economic costs, you can cite medical bills and equipment, lost wages and potential earnings, and vehicle repair, among other things.
Non-economic damages are those that are seriously affecting a person’s quality of life. Those who are experiencing pain and suffering as well as mental anguish after the crash, also have the right to be reimbursed. This category may include chronic discomfort and aches, emotional struggles such as anxiety, depressions, and PTSD, humiliation due to scars, burns, or amputation, etc.
Health Insurance
When the car accident happens, money is on no one’s mind. The first thing you think about is whether you and others involved in this situation are fine. Health is and should always be of primary concern when something like this happens. So, make sure you visit a doctor even if you believe there is nothing wrong with you.
And if you are facing major health issues, you should definitely focus on your recovery. Still, major injuries often come with big medical bills causing you even more problems, this time in a financial sphere. However, if you have health insurance, you will be able to recover at least part of those expenses. This will allow you to relax and contemplate what your next steps should be regarding the accident.
Personal Injury Claim
Sometimes filing a personal injury claim is the only way you can get your expenses reimbursed. However, this is often a complex and long procedure that most of the time requires involving a lawyer. So, before you start any of this, you should make sure you have recovered completely or as much as you can.
You should gather all the medical reports and present it to the attorney who will represent you. Make sure you have chosen someone with experience, who has already dealt with these types of cases.
Before you hire anyone, scheduling a meeting with them is a must. Most lawyers provide free consultation during which you can talk to them and explain the situation. As seasoned legal professionals from theclarklawoffice.com/auto-accident-attorneys/mini-tort-claims explain, this can be quite stressful time for you which is why you need someone who will give you an honest evaluation of your case. They will explain to you how the process works, how long it will probably take, and what will be required of you.
Filing a claim doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to appear in front of a judge. More often than not, these types of cases are settled outside of the courtroom. Still, insurance companies are working for profit and they will try to pay you less than what you deserve. That’s why you need a lawyer on your side. They will see through insurance adjuster’s tactics and help you by compiling all the evidence needed to win the claim.
The consequences of car accidents can be awful. Even if you come out of them physically unscathed, you can still be facing mental and emotional pain afterwards. The costs of medical treatments can seriously affect a person’s budget and leave them in financial ruins. These are traumatic experiences and innocent victims should be reimbursed for all the troubles and suffering they are going through due to no fault of their own. In certain cases, this will require hiring a lawyer and filing a personal injury claim.
