A car accident can drastically change the way you live. The journey of recovering good health is not an easy one, especially when the injuries keep you out of work for long. You not only suffer physically and emotionally, but financially as well. Treatment costs, rehabilitation costs and therapy costs are among the most common financial drawbacks that the victim is likely to incur. But when someone else is responsible for your injuries, you don’t need to break your bank to cover these costs. Our Conroe car accident lawyers strongly believe that the parties liable for the accident where you were injured should be held accountable to compensate you.
While it’s likely that you are already aware of your rights to compensation after a car accident, few people know how to go about the compensation process. You may also be unaware of the different types of compensation you are entitled to. If you are not careful, you could end up accepting a settlement that is far less than the actual value of your damages. It’s not just about your medical expenses and lost wages, there’s much more you can recover through compensation in Conroe car accident cases.
While every car accident is unique, the types of compensation are often the same. Basically, a personal injury victim is entitled to three major types of damages. They are economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.
Any monetary loss that you incur is classified under economic damages. These losses account for a large percentage of personal injury cases, since most injuries require specialized treatment and a prolonged stay out of work. The amount of time spent nursing these injuries is also taken into account during settlement. Economic damages will cover:
Any other additional economic damage or tangible loss can be brought forward with proof when consulting your attorney. For example, if your cell phone was destroyed in the car accident, you are entitled to a replacement of equal value.
On top of the financial burden that befalls a car accident victim, there are also intangible losses to be wary of. Non-economic damages are more inclined on the emotional and psychological trauma that the victim undergoes due to pain and suffering, loss of consortium, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders as well as the loss of enjoyment of life. You will need a seasoned lawyer to help prove this type of damage.
Unlike economic damages, proving and quantifying pain and suffering is very difficult. It is difficult to do this on your own. To ensure that your claims remain viable, you should retain our aggressive and knowledgeable lawyers. Our firm is known for establishing close networks with experts such as psychologists, economists, and medical experts who help prove the true extent of damages suffered.
On top of the abovementioned damages, you can also pursue punitive damages. But unfortunately, this is not available in all cases. It’s only awarded based on the facts of your case, which require proof of gross negligence of the liable party (instead of simple negligence). If applicable, having a skilled personal injury attorney can help you obtain this type of compensation in a vehicle collision case.
The Texas Transportation Code § 550.026 requires that all car accidents that result in an injury, death or property damage be reported to local police. They are essential in the evacuation of injured persons, clearing the scene to avoid further injuries and most importantly, and determining liability. So before leaving the scene of the crash, always retain a copy of the police report and present it to your attorney as soon as possible.
Additionally, you must also notify your own insurance company when an accident occurs. This is to allow them to carry out their investigations and set up their claim. If you want to handle the car accident claims process on your own, you can also reach out to the insurance company of the negligent party to negotiate your claim. Remember, not all car accident cases go to trial. Most injured parties obtain compensation through settlement negotiations with insurance companies, and for this to happen, they must be aware of the car accident before anything else.
If you have been injured in a car crash caused by someone else’s negligence, you probably know that the injuries are costing you more damages as days go by. Our lawyers are here to help you get maximum compensation for every penny spent treating your injuries. We will ensure that the settlement you get reflects the actual value of your claims. For more information about compensation in Conroe car accident cases, call our offices today for a free consultation.
