You may be under the impression a lawyer is only helpful if you are the at-fault party in a car accident, but that isn’t exactly true. There are a lot of things a lawyer could do to help you as the victim of a car accident as well. The following are just a couple.
Helping You File an Insurance Claim
Depending on the accident, both drivers’ insurance coverage and the state where you live, it’s possible you can file a claim with both insurance companies. Your lawyer can help you file a claim with both parties so you receive as much compensation as possible. If the other driver’s insurance company tries to contact you, you can refer them to your lawyer as well, as there is never any reason to engage in conversation with someone who represents the at-fault party’s insurance company.
Determining Which Damages to Seek
If you are going to sue the other party, your lawyer can help you determine which damages to seek. It will be different for everyone, depending on the circumstances of the accident and the injuries incurred, but the following are a few you may consider.
- Past medical expenses – Any expenses you already have for medical care due to your car accident can be included in the damages you seek. Whether it’s been three days or three months, you can include everything related to the accident.
- Future medical expenses – This gets a little harder to determine, but your lawyer can reasonably anticipate what future bills will be the result of your accident injuries.
- Lost wages – Chances are you’ve lost time at work due to the injuries sustained in your car accident. If so, you can be reimbursed for that time you missed at work. This might include future missed work, as well as time in the past.
- Pain and suffering – There’s nobody who can say how you have suffered due to your accident, except for you. Be sure you give all the details to your lawyer so he or she can come up with an amount to seek.
- Reduced earning ability – It’s possible you won’t be able to ever get back to work, and if you do, you may be limited in what you can do. This would take care of the loss of the ability to work.
- Punitive damages – This is more a way to punish the at-fault party than anything else, but if he or she was reckless or malicious, you may cash in because of it.
Contacting a Car Accident Lawyer Today
After being in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, there are a lot of things your lawyer can help you with. Contact a car accident lawyer in Indianapolis, IN today to learn more.
Thanks to Ward & Ward Law Firm for their insight into personal injury claims and how a lawyer can help with a car accident claim.