Car Accident Compensation Claim - What Can I Expect?
It wasn't your fault, but you have just been involved in a bad car wreck and you have been injured. You need to learn what a car accident compensation claim is to get what is due you.
The Basics
Insurance companies have procedures for filing car accident compensation claims and you must be insured to drive legally in almost all countries. Could you handle it yourself? If you wanted to, you could.
Most of the time, the police interviewed and got the insurance information of the people involved in the accident at the scene of the collision. A report was also written by the police naming who they thought was responsible for the collision. You will use this report as the basis of your claim.
What Are Your Damages?
You have probably incurred damages including medical treatment, rehabilitation, ambulance costs, car repair, auto rental while your car was being repaired, miscellaneous other costs and you might even have a claim for loss of income. You need to be "made whole" again, physically, mentally, and financially, that is the whole purpose of insurance. If the accident was caused by careless driving, negligence such as drinking and driving, or a defective vehicle, you could possibly have a claim for "punitive" damages.
What It All Means
It isn't always as easy as just filing a claim with the insurance company and collecting money. In many instances, insurance companies may either deny coverage on the insurance policy based on a technicality (policy contract provision) or one of the other parties involved in the accident may sue you for personal damages. A personal injury lawyer may be the right person to help you with this.
A good personal injury attorney will know the law in your jurisdiction regarding accident compensation claims and be able to represent you and protect your rights with the insurance company. If a lawsuit is needed, a personal injury attorney may represent you in court and see that you receive the compensation that is due you.
A great deal of personal injury law firms work on a contingency basis which means that they get paid a percentage of the amount awarded you so that you don't, in most cases, have any up front costs. In many cases you will receive as much or more with a good lawyer representing you as opposed to you doing it yourself. Plus you have the peace of mind having someone who knows the law, represent you.
The Bottom Line
An car accident is never fun and can cause you mental and physical trauma. How you go forward both financially and physically may depend on how you handle the aftermath of a car accident. You will need a medical professional for physical healing and a good personal injury lawyer to help you receive what you are due financially.
This article is not meant as legal or medical advice, only for informational purposes. Always consult with a legal or medical professional for legal or medical advice.
