Car accidents can be costly for victims, from medical bills to repair costs to lost wages from missing work. Duluth Car Accident Attorney can help you receive compensation for your losses.
They can also handle all communication with insurance companies, preventing their clients from accidentally compromising their claims by admitting fault or accepting low settlement offers.
Depending on the extent of your injuries and the amount of compensation you need, there may be several sources of insurance coverage available. These may include a policyholder’s personal injury protection (PIP), underinsured motorist coverage, and third-party liability coverage. It’s important to consult a Car Accident Attorney about the specific terms and limits of each type of coverage so that you can make sure you’re getting the full compensation you need.
PIP is a no-fault policy that typically covers medical expenses up to the policy limits. It can cover things like hospital bills, doctor visits, prescriptions, and therapy sessions. This coverage is mandatory and is intended to help victims pay for some of their basic needs following a crash.
However, the policy limits are usually quite low and can be quickly exhausted by even minor accidents with serious injuries. For this reason, you should always keep track of your medical expenses and make sure you have enough documentation to justify the total amount of your claim.
In cases where the at-fault driver lacks the required insurance, you may be able to file a lawsuit against them. However, this can be complicated, as drivers who don’t have insurance rarely have any assets from which to collect. In these situations, you should also consider seeking additional compensation through your own uninsured motorist coverage or health insurance. Our attorneys can provide guidance on these options, as well as how to pursue other potential liable parties if the at-fault driver cannot be found.
When a car accident involves more than one at-fault party, it becomes more complex in terms of determining which victim holds the claim, who is responsible for their damages, and how much compensation they deserve. A Car Accident Attorney can help to simplify these issues by setting out who is entitled to what and by negotiating a fair settlement with the insurer.
When it comes to recovering lost wages, you’ll need to provide documentation of the days you were unable to work due to your injuries. You’ll also need to keep track of any other related losses, such as transportation costs to and from medical appointments or the cost of hiring help for tasks you can no longer perform because of your injuries.
Time Limits
As with any legal case, there are specific time limitations on filing claims. These are called statutes of limitations and vary from state to state. In New York, there is a three-year limit for both personal injury and property damage claims following car accidents. This rule ensures that lawsuits are filed within a reasonable timeframe, promoting fairness for all parties involved. This timeframe starts from the date of the accident.
It is essential to file your claim as soon as possible to give your attorney a full opportunity to gather evidence and develop a strong case on your behalf. This can include running various searches such as DMV history research on drivers, Department of Transportation research, Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests, insurance records, MV-104 report searches, dashcam video from driver cell phones, security cameras, road maps and more. Having this evidence in hand can greatly improve your chances of getting maximum compensation for your damages.
The reason for strict time limits is that memories fade and physical evidence deteriorates over time, making it more difficult to build a strong case. Furthermore, there are many complex legal issues associated with car accident cases that must be addressed. These matters include establishing the identity of the at-fault party, determining negligence, and calculating damages. Therefore, it is important to retain an experienced car accident attorney as early on in the process as possible.
If you fail to meet the three-year deadline, you will lose your right to seek compensation through the courts for your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, property damage and other damages.
The exception to this is if your case involves an accident involving a city, state or government vehicle. In these cases, you typically have only 90 days to file a notice of claim, which must contain specific content. Failure to do so can result in the dismissal of your case altogether. Our attorneys can help you file the necessary paperwork to meet this short deadline and avoid forfeiting your legal rights.
Damages
Car accidents can lead to a wide range of losses, including property damage, medical expenses and lost income. The injured victim may also be eligible for compensation for non-economic damages, including pain and suffering. An experienced New York car accident lawyer can help victims understand what types of recoveries they are entitled to and how to pursue them.
When building a claim, a car accident attorney will look at the total costs associated with the crash. This includes past, present and future medical treatment, lost income, as well as the impact the accident has had on your life in terms of emotional distress or loss of enjoyment of life. The attorney will consider all the ways the crash has impacted your life and ensure you are fully compensated for these losses.
In addition to the financial costs, a car accident attorney will also seek reimbursement for any property damage. This can include the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle, as well as any other personal items you had in the car at the time of the crash, such as your computer and cell phone. The value of these items will be based on their fair market value at the time of the crash.
A car accident lawyer will also assess your injuries and your potential for a full recovery. They will review any police reports and medical records, as well as collect any eyewitness testimony and photos from the scene of the accident. This information will be used to demonstrate how the at-fault driver violated their duty of care and caused your injuries and losses.
In New York, you can file an insurance claim for both economic and non-economic damages to cover your medical bills, lost income and other financial losses. However, the no-fault system limits your ability to sue for damages unless your injuries meet a certain threshold, such as serious disfigurement or loss of a major bodily function. A tenacious car accident attorney can ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for both your physical and psychological injuries.
Liability
A car accident attorney can help you receive full compensation from the insurance company for all damages resulting from the crash. This includes both your physical and financial losses. Damages that are measurable include medical bills, property damage and lost income. Additionally, you may be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering. A skilled NYC Car Accident Lawyer can work with experts to project your long-term losses and calculate an appropriate award.
Another area of law that a lawyer can help you pursue is the right to recover punitive damages, which are meant to punish the at-fault party and deter similar conduct in the future. These awards are only available in rare cases involving extreme negligence or blatant misconduct.
The length of time it takes to resolve a case can vary depending on the complexity and the involvement of multiple parties. An experienced Manhattan Car Accident Lawyer can guide you through the process, ensuring that all important deadlines are met.
Negotiation with the insurance representatives and determining liability
Your attorney can assist you in working with all of the involved insurance companies to ensure that your medical and property damage claims are handled as quickly and fairly as possible. They can also assist you in pursuing uninsured/under-insured motorist coverage, which can provide an additional source of compensation in the event that the negligent driver does not have insurance or only carries minimal coverage.
If the at-fault party has been identified, your attorney can also file a civil lawsuit against them. This allows you to pursue damages for your property damage, medical expenses, loss of income and other damages arising from the accident.
The outcome of your criminal case can have a direct impact on the result of your civil lawsuit. Your attorney can help you navigate this process, ensuring that any necessary evidence is submitted in the most effective manner and arguing your case before the judge if necessary. Having a seasoned lawyer on your side can alleviate stress from a situation that can already be challenging.