If you experienced a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you shouldn’t have to pay for medical treatments, car repairs, and other damages yourself. By filing an accident claim, you may be compensated for all the damages you have suffered. Though it’s not possible to determine the exact amount of compensation you’ll receive, there are some factors that will give you an idea of how much you will get in a car accident settlement. Here are 7 determining factors that affect your compensation.
1.Your Actions and Statements After the Accident
A simple conversation with anyone involved in the accident can affect your claim significantly. If you didn’t go to see a doctor after the accident for days or weeks, the insurance company can confidently argue that your injuries weren’t caused by the accident. If you apologized to the other driver for the accident, it’s good enough proof for the insurance company that the accident is your fault. Many other things can go wrong, so to be on the safe side, limit your interactions with anyone regarding the accident, except your lawyer. Seek immediate medical care to treat your injuries and have proof that the injuries were caused by the accident. You have to be consistent with your statements and actions when dealing with medical staff, police officers, or insurance representatives as any inconsistency can damage your claim.
2.Your Medical Expenses
The amount you paid for medical and future expenses affects the settlement of your claim. These expenses make most of the amount to be paid as compensation, so it’s important to keep a record of every bill you pay. You can’t file a claim unless you know exactly how much you’ve paid or will pay, so gather evidence of your condition and the expected expenses from doctors.
3. Liability
The stronger the evidence you have on the other driver’s negligence or liability, the stronger your position in the injury claim. It’s essential to include all details showing negligence in the police report to strengthen your case. However, if it was proven you were partially at fault for the accident, it will reduce the amount of your settlement. If you had a defective tail light, the other party can say they didn’t see you slowing down and rear-ended you before they could react.
4. Your Ability to Work
The number of workdays you missed due to medical appointments, your inability to work because of your injury, or any related reasons will affect the amount of settlement you’ll get. If you suffered a permanent disability, and you can’t work the same job anymore, it will affect your car accident claim dramatically, especially if you sustained back and neck injuries that affect your mobility. Less serious injuries may still keep you from getting promoted or force you to change careers; in these cases, you should consult your lawyer to calculate the losses you suffered in your career and include them in your claim.
5. Property Damage
The car damage that was caused by someone else in a car accident should be covered by that person’s property damage policy, which will determine and pay for the cost of repairing or replacing your car. Your insurance coverage along with other liable parties’ insurance coverage will help cover these costs.
6. Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Your expenses don’t stop at your medical bills and car repairs; you also suffer from many inconveniences for which you should be paid. You should think of any expenses caused by the accident that you had to pay for out of pocket, and include them in the claim. Keep copies of the bills as proof of the expenses caused by the accident. Your claim should include:
- Any transportation costs incurred while your car is repaired or replaced whether you rented a car or used public transportation
- Any modifications applied to your home for accessibility if you are suffering a permanent disability
- The cost of prosthetics
- Hiring professionals to help with household chores
7. Your Patience
Injury claims take a long time, so you shouldn’t give up too soon. Additionally, you wouldn’t want to settle for less than the expenses you incurred, and you can’t know the exact number of those expenses until your full recovery, which might take a long time depending on your injuries. So, make sure to document every expense throughout the process.
Several factors can affect the amount of settlement you’re offered in a car accident claim, and you must pay attention to every single detail to maximize your compensation. A good lawyer will guide you through the whole process, from filing the claim and proving liability to documenting your damages and calculating the amount of settlement. Don’t try to rush the process or accept the first settlement offer; focus on your recovery and take your time to receive a fair settlement.
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