If you are out in your car running errands and are suddenly injured by another driver's negligence, it can tilt your world on its axis. Not only are you injured, but you're also likely to experience a decrease in wages – while attempting to navigate the car accident claims process (Driver Negligence Often Equals Dangerous Car Accident). Although your claim will not be exactly like anyone else's, there are some car accident basics that apply across every claim, and that can help guide yours.
Determining Fault
Car accidents are often the result of fault on the part of one of the motorists involved. If you were driving safely and adhering to all the rules of the road, your accident was likely caused by negligence on the part of the other driver, which typically falls into one of the following categories:
- Excess Speed (Excess Speed Is Often Deadly)
- Distraction (How Much of a Distracted Driver Are You, Really?)
- Impairment
- Exhaustion
- Aggression (Aggressive Drivers are Dangerous Drivers)
Your dedicated car accident attorney will help make the important determination of who is at fault – and what form that fault took – in your car accident.
Addressing Your Damages
An essential element of your claim is carefully addressing the array of damages you’ve suffered as a result of the other driver’s negligence. Without a fair assessment, it will be more difficult for you to achieve your fullest recovery. While such damages can be nearly limitless, there are several categories that commonly apply, including:
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Medical expenses that often begin with emergency care and extend to surgery, hospital stays, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and far beyond
- Lost earnings that can lead to a decrease in your ability to earn over time
- Emotional and physical pain and suffering, which can be especially difficult to address
Negotiating with the Insurance Company
While the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier is responsible for covering the damages you suffer, it is also a for-profit business that is very invested in protecting those profits. This means that you can expect the insurance company to throw out roadblocks to just compensation that may include one or more of the following:
- Denying your car accident claim from the get-go
- Prolonging or complicating the claims process
- Attempting to implicate you as the cause of the accident
- Attempting to minimize the severity of your injuries and the extent of your damages
Read more: Your Car Accident and the Insurance Company
When it comes to the insurance company, there are several things you can do to help protect your claim:
- Leave the negotiating to your skilled car accident attorney
- Do not provide them with an official statement (doing so can come back to haunt your claim – and there is no obligation to do so on your part)
- Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully (in order to help you recover and in order to help you demonstrate the serious nature of your injuries)
Turn to an Experienced Killeen Car Accident Attorney Today
If another driver’s negligence leaves you injured, Brett Pritchard at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard in Killeen, Texas, is a resourceful car accident attorney who is both on your side and well prepared to help. To learn more, please reach out by contacting or calling us at 254-501-4040 today.
RELATED READING