Car accidents cause extensive damage, physically, financially, and even emotionally. The victims can seek compensation for their losses by sue the guilty party. However, they might find it difficult to file a lawsuit while recovering from their injuries. However, paying medical bills, repairing your vehicle, and receiving compensation for these expenses and your pain and suffering are essential steps you must consider after a car accident.
Car accident attorneys in New York City say that regardless of the situation, all drivers must have car insurance to cover the medical expenses for their injuries. Factors that influence the amount of compensation are the injury’s severity and the circumstances in which the accident happened.
No specific limit has been set to how much you can sue for a car accident. Nevertheless, you will be able to sue for the full extent that should cover the expenses mentioned above, including lost wages. This amount can range from a few thousand dollars up to $1,000,000. If you are the victim of another driver’s negligence, this information might be valuable to you.
Car Insurance and PIP Benefits
As mentioned above, you need to have a minimum of the auto insurance requirements before getting behind the wheel. The primary insurance policy is Personal Injury Protection or PIP. This will assure you that your medical expenses are covered, regardless of who is at fault. The basic No-Fault coverage value is up to $50,000 per person.
Suppose the guilty party does not have insurance. In that case, your insurance company will cover the medical expenses for you, your family, and any passengers traveling with you at the time of the accident. Any third party that sustained bodily injury will receive a minimum of $25,000 to cover their medical bills.
Cover Your Legal Damages
After reporting the accident to the authorities, your lawyer can make a claim against the guilty party to recover damages from their insurance company. This claim includes medical expenses such as emergency room care, ambulance fees, testing, diagnostic care, surgeries, and physical therapy. Other damages include lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, or loss of consortium if the car accident caused a wrongful death.
The amount of compensation is influenced by the circumstances of the accident. Suppose there are no significant injuries and only minor damage to the car. In that case, the victim will receive only a few hundred dollars in compensation. In contrast, if the accident resulted in a fatality, the deceased’s family can file a wrongful death lawsuit and are entitled to substantial compensation to cover any financial burdens the loss of their loved one might cause.
Hire a Lawyer to Maximize Your Compensation
There are ways that you can maximize the amount you receive as compensation. Hiring a personal injury attorney will increase your chances of obtaining payment that fully covers your damages and out-of-pocket expenses. In New York, you can take your case to court within three years of the day of the accident, according to the statute of limitations.
This could complicate your situation, as many insurance claims can take years to resolve. However, a qualified lawyer will know how to expedite the process so you can receive compensation as soon as possible. They will help you meet the deadlines and guide you on the necessary procedures to give you the best chance of success.
