Accidents occur every day, and the result is personal injury. As heartbreaking as that may be, it’s necessary to know what to do when such atrocities happen to you. Almost always, there is a party to blame. When you’re hurt, unable to work, and suffering because of another person’s negligence, you have every right to file a claim with the help of a dedicated car accident attorney.
There are numerous types of car accident claims. These claims frequently seek recoverable damages. Which include compensatory, punitive, and nominal. Compensatory damages are an amount of money awarded to a party in a civil action to compensate for an injury or loss caused by another party’s unlawful conduct. While punitive damages are designed to punish and deter the negligent party from committing the same offense again. Nominal damages are a trivial sum of money awarded to a plaintiff whose legal right has been technically violated but who has not established they are entitled to compensatory damages because there was no loss or harm.
The following is a list of guidelines outlining the process by which affected parties should file these claims.
How to Filing a Settlement Request
1. Notify Appropriate Authorities
Official police reports can be used as evidence during your civil lawsuit. Make use of this resource if you find yourself involved in an automotive accident.
2. Seek Medical Assistance
Accidents cause a great deal of carnage. Seek medical attention even when you feel fine. Some injuries may not present themselves immediately but still pose significant health threats. This process also immediately documents your injuries leaving insurers no room to say your injuries did not occur in the accident.
Many victims experience emotional distress and severe mental trauma after an accident. This emphasizes the importance of promptly reporting damage to qualified personnel to ensure proper documentation of the accident occurs in a timely fashion.
3. Consult a Personal Injury Attorney
Car accident claims are a time-consuming process that necessitates the assistance of trained professionals. Depending on the state, you have only two to three years to file a claim, after which the court will dismiss the case for non-compliance. With the help of a trusted attorney, you should not have to worry about missing filing deadlines.
Additionally, lawyers ease defendants’ burdens by taking on several responsibilities. Examples include dealing with insurance providers who frequently act in their own self-interest and helping you quantify the value of your claim so you know how much to seek in damages.
4. Proceed to Court
Many claims are settled out of court, but sometimes proceeding into a courtroom becomes necessary. It is a time-consuming and tedious process. This is because personal liability claims are not often straightforward, and evidence of negligence must be produced to win a favorable outcome.
Accidents frequently occur in the absence of media evidence such as videos or photographs and eyewitness reports. Physical injury, property damage, and expert testimony all contribute to establishing culpability.
5. Collect Settlement
Upon providing a preponderance of the evidence, the court will consider the extent of the loss, pain, and suffering experienced by the plaintiff. When a victim cannot return to work, this compensation can include two-thirds of the victim’s wages and potentially all medical expenses, such as rehabilitation services and therapy to aid in the victim’s recovery from the trauma.
Seek Litigation
We cannot overstate the importance of competent legal representation. Not only does it bring light to issues the average citizen may be unaware of, but it can also help expedite the legal process. Find justice when you ‘re hurt and need compensation with the help of a trusted car accident lawyer.