Car Accident Lawyer Washington DC help victims get compensation from the at-fault driver and/or insurance company. They do everything from investigating the accident and preparing the case to filing a lawsuit and representing the victim in negotiations.
To claim compensation, victims need to show proof of their losses and damages. These include: medical bills, property damage, and future expenses for care.
The medical bills associated with a car accident can add up quickly, and they can be very difficult to pay. When the injuries are severe, even a small no-fault policy payout will seem like a drop in the bucket when compared to the hundreds of thousands of dollars or more in medical bills remaining. Many people will need home healthcare visits, surgery, rehabilitation, and other ongoing care, all of which can significantly increase the cost of their treatment.
While the at-fault driver is liable for paying your medical bills in some states, many victims will also have health insurance, which will help cover these expenses. Additionally, many drivers have optional insurance coverage called Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or Medical Payments coverage, which will cover medical expenses regardless of fault in a crash. Medicare or Medicaid may also cover some medical expenses if the victim does not have any private insurance.
When an accident occurs, you should seek immediate medical attention. It is important to do so because while you may feel fine initially, adrenaline and shock can mask some injuries until hours or days later, when they become permanent. Additionally, prompt medical attention creates critical documentation for your injury claims and legal proceedings.
A qualified car accident lawyer can also help ensure you receive the proper medical treatment, which will minimize or eliminate your medical bills. He or she can communicate with your medical providers, which will put the initial bills on hold until they know you have a claim in process. In addition, they can provide a detailed explanation of your medical bills and billing processes to help you understand the charges you are receiving.
Pain and suffering
A car accident can cause significant physical injuries and long periods of pain and recovery. It can also leave a person emotionally traumatized and suffering from mental health issues. As such, victims deserve to be compensated for both the physical and emotional pain they experience. However, determining the appropriate amount to ask for isn’t always easy. This is especially true for noneconomic damages like pain and suffering, which can be difficult to quantify in monetary terms.
Insurance companies use various methods to calculate the value of car accident victims’ pain and suffering. Typically, they start with the medical expenses and lost wages and then multiply them by a number that varies between 1.5 and 5. They may also apply a per diem method, wherein they assign a dollar amount to each day of recovery. However, these methods are problematic and fail to adequately reflect the complexities of each individual case.
For this reason, it’s important to work with a Car Accident Lawyer who can help you collect evidence that supports your claim. In addition to medical bills, evidence can include a video diary that captures your daily struggles in the aftermath of the accident. It can also include eyewitness statements, as well as documentation from medical professionals that establishes the causation link between your symptoms and the accident.
A lawyer can also help you obtain expert opinions from financial and vocational experts to support your claim for future losses that you may incur as a result of your injury. This can be a significant factor in obtaining the compensation you need to cover medical expenses, pay for future care, and cover loss of earning potential.
Lost wages
Car accidents are stressful enough, but they can also be financially devastating if you have to miss work due to your injuries. Even a few days of missed work can add up quickly, especially when you live paycheck to paycheck. Fortunately, you may be entitled to compensation for your lost wages.
When you file a claim for lost wages, the insurance company will look at your medical records and/or disability slip to see how long you were out of work. In addition, they will consider any overtime pay you would have earned during that time. This information will help them calculate your total lost income. You may also be able to submit proof of other sources of income, such as profit-and-loss statements, invoices, bank statements, and finance-related correspondence.
A reputable car accident attorney can help you collect the compensation you deserve for your lost wages. He or she will have experience handling similar cases and will know how to present your case effectively in negotiations or in court if necessary. The attorney should also be familiar with the insurance policies involved in your case, including any uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it can take months or longer to recover from your injuries. In the meantime, you’ll need to make ends meet and still cover your daily living expenses. Fortunately, you can obtain compensation for your lost wages and other damages through pre-settlement funding. Michaels Bersani Kalabanka can help you get the money you need now to stay afloat while waiting for your compensation from the insurance companies. Contact us today to learn more about this option.
Property damage
A car accident can cause property damage that requires repair or replacement. A car crash also can lead to personal injuries and a loss of income. A car accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you need for all your losses. A car accident lawyer can review your medical bills, lost wages and property damage, and work to get you the maximum amount of compensation for your claims.
The most obvious type of property damage that occurs in a car accident is the repair or replacement costs for your vehicle. You can typically make a claim through your own collision insurance or the other driver’s policy. If you have a comprehensive coverage policy, you can usually make a claim for the full value of your vehicle.
If you have personal belongings in your car at the time of the accident, you can file a claim for those as well. These items might include your cellphone, tablet, laptop and headphones. You can document the value of these items with purchase receipts or appraisals. Your lawyer can also help you get the best possible valuation for your property damage.
You should report the accident to the police as soon as you can. This will help to ensure that the information is documented and not forgotten or disputed later. The police will compile an accident report, which is essential evidence for any insurance or liability claim.
If you are seriously injured or have extensive property damage, your attorney can assist you in filing a liability claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. They can advise you on the proper procedures and deadlines for your case. They will also know the judges and staff in your local court system, which can improve the likelihood of a successful outcome.
Expenses for future care
In severe car accidents, victims can suffer long-term and costly medical care. This includes medical treatments, rehabilitation, and future costs for medication or other prescriptions. When these expenses are not adequately accounted for, they can significantly reduce a victim’s financial recovery. The good news is that these expenses can be compensated through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. However, determining the amount of these damages is not easy. A skilled car accident lawyer can help a victim estimate their medical bills and other losses. They can also work with experts and doctors to assess a patient’s prognosis and future needs.
In most cases, the at-fault party’s insurance company is responsible for paying medical bills as they occur. However, they often refuse to pay for foreseeable and future expenses. That’s why it is important to hire an attorney to prepare and present evidence of these costs to the insurance companies and the courts.
A victim’s medical records are the primary source of proof for their current and future medical expenses. Depending on the severity of the crash, medical bills can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. A traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury, for example, can result in millions of dollars in lifetime costs.
An experienced car accident lawyer can help their clients document these expenses and prove them in court. They can also assist their clients with negotiating with the insurance companies to ensure they receive adequate compensation for their injuries and loss.