Statistics show that the average driver will be involved in an auto accident once every 18 years, or about four times over the course of his/her lifetime. You might be able to minimize the number of accidents by diligently working to avoid reckless driving behaviors.
While committing to safe driving habits is important, it doesn’t prevent you from becoming the victim of another person’s reckless behavior. If you are seriously injured in an accident that was not your fault, you will likely miss time at work, and accumulate plenty of medical and hospital bills, car repair payments and other expenses. You can also expect a call from the other driver’s insurance company, hoping to persuade you to settle quickly.
Most auto accident attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning they only get paid if they can successfully resolve your claim. These attorneys are familiar with local, state and federal laws impacting auto accident victims and quickly recognize tactics used by insurance companies to secure prompt, low settlements.
Moreover, many personal injury attorneys have experience in collecting the evidence you’ll need to win in court or to settle successfully outside of court, such as securing police accident reports, witness statements, medical records, hospital and doctors’ bills and lost-wage analyses. Obtaining the assistance of these attorneys can help you spend more time focusing on healing emotionally and physically from the accident.
Once all the evidence has been collected, your attorney will be your representative in negotiating with the guilty driver and his/her insurance company. Depending on the nature of your injuries and the negligence of the guilty party, your attorney could pursue some of these options:
Economic damages – obtaining reimbursement for your medical expenses, surgeries, rehabilitation, lost wages, vehicle repairs and more.
Noneconomic damages – In some cases, a judge or jury could require the guilty party to pay “pain and suffering” expenses.
Punitive damages – In accidents caused by gross negligence, such as drunk driving or vehicular manslaughter, you may be entitled to these damages.
Wrongful death damages – in accidents that end in death, the jury could require the guilty party to pay for funeral and burial costs, and more.
As you can see, there are many kinds of damages that an accident victim may be able to claim as a lawyer, like an auto accident attorney from a law firm such as Yearin Law Office, can explain.