Car accidents happen. Often these fender benders literally result in a damaged fender.
If you have been in a car crash that resulted in damage to your vehicle, including a damaged fender, you will need to pursue a personal injury claim to recover the cost of your damages from the at-fault driver. Because personal injury claims are complex, you should consult with a personal injury attorney who can walk you through the process.
Damaged Fender in a Car Accident
Automobiles are expensive with their advanced technology and design. That means the cost of auto repairs have also increased.
Depending on your car make and model, the cost of the fender can range up to $1,000 plus there is an additional cost for the hardware and labor. Altogether, it can range from $300 to $1,600 or more to handle a fender replacement job.
If you drive a larger vehicle, such as a SUV or a truck, the cost will be even more. Luxury vehicles that have carbon fiber fenders could result in a $5,000 charge for a fender replacement. You should have all repairs done by a professional automotive repair facility that is staffed by highly skilled automotive technicians.
How to Prove You Weren’t at Fault for the Crash
Personal injury claims must show fault or liability to be successful. During the claims process, you must prove that the accident was the result of the other party’s negligence.
There are four elements of negligence and four must be proven so you can be fairly compensated for your losses. Here are the four elements of negligence as they would pertain to this scenario.
Duty – The other party must have a duty or a responsibility to you. In this case, all drivers owe others the duty to drive safely and obey traffic laws.
The duty was breached – In this case, it might be that the driver wasn’t paying attention and ran a stop sign, crashing into you at an intersection.
Causation – You must prove that the breach of duty caused your crash. In this case, if the other car stopped at the stop sign, they wouldn’t have hit you and caused your accident.
Damages – You must show documented losses. This can be through the accident report, photos of the damages, the bill for the tow truck, receipts for a rental car, and estimates for repairing your vehicle’s hood.
Consult With a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you were involved in a car crash that left your vehicle with a damaged hood, consult with a personal injury attorney. Personal injury lawyers take accident injury claims on a contingency basis, which means they aren’t paid until you get compensation for your losses.
Your lawyer will gather up supporting documentation and will prove that your losses are caused by the crash. There is a strict statute of limitations for pursuing a personal injury claim, so don’t wait too late. Complete the Free Case Evaluation form today!
