Car accidents happen all across the country on a daily basis. If you have been in a car accident that left you with a damaged door, you might find that you have a costly repair to address.
If the other driver was negligent and that caused the crash, you can file a personal injury claim to recover compensation to reimburse you for your losses. You should retain the services of a personal injury attorney to help you with the claims process.
Damaged Door in a Car Accident
Your car’s doors are safety barriers. They offered metal protection from the impact that your car could take from being hit by another vehicle. If another vehicle hit your car in the door, your door will need to be replaced.
Doors can be expensive parts to replace. You will need to make sure the job is done by a qualified auto body technician.
The make and model of your car will have an impact on the overall cost of replacing the door. As an example, a replacement door shell for a Mercedes Benz can cost $650 or more. If you include the door handle, locks, and window, that will add about $100 more. While the cost of the labor will vary, it could be an additional $500 to $700. It could run anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500 total.
How to Prove You Weren’t at Fault for the Crash
Negligence is comprised of four different elements. For your claim to be successful, you will need to show that all four elements of negligence have been met. Your personal injury attorney will build your case and show the four elements of negligence and how they come into play with your crash.
Duty – The driver of the other car has a responsibility or duty to you to drive safely and obey traffic laws.
Breach of Duty – The driver breached that duty and that caused the crash. As an example, the driver was texting and wasn’t paying attention, so he ran a red light.
Causation – The next step is to show that the breach of duty caused the crash. The driver wasn’t paying attention, so he ran the red light and T-boned your car.
Damages – You will need to show the value of your losses. Provide written repair estimates and photos of any damages. Provide receipts and bills for any other damages you suffered.
Consult With a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you were involved in a car accident that resulted in your car door being damaged and someone else was to blame, you should consult with a personal injury attorney. There is a strict statute of limitations, so don’t wait until it is too late.
Your lawyer will not get paid until you are compensated for your losses. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page to have your case reviewed by an accident injury lawyer in your area.
