Cars are a way of life for most people across the country. There are 1.3 million people around the world who are killed in car crashes each year. In the U.S., there were 34,439 police-reported car accidents involving fatalities that led to 37,461 deaths. Car crashes result in a variety of damages and cost us all since an accident affects productivity and leads to the need for medical care.
If you have been in a car accident, you will want to recover compensation for your damages. You will do this by pursuing a personal injury claim against the driver who is to blame for the crash that caused your losses. When you file your claim, you will want to make sure you include all your damages. Here are a few of the more common damages suffered in an auto accident:
- Medical expenses – both past and future
- Lost wages – both past and future
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Mental anguish
- Property damages
You will want to make sure you create an itemized list along with the value for each loss suffered, so you can claim all your damages when calculating a fair settlement for your losses in your personal injury claim.
What To Do After An Auto Accident
If you have been in an auto accident, you should stay on the scene of the crash. Always call the police because an accident report can have a significant impact on the outcome of your case. Usually, the responding officer will investigate the crash, determine what damages and injuries were suffered, determine how and why the crash occurred, and then determine preliminary fault for the crash.
You should maintain documentation that shows your losses and that can be used as supporting evidence when you file your personal injury claim against the liable party. Here are a few examples of supporting documentation for car crash damages:
- Medical bills
- Medical records
- Tow bills
- Rental car receipts
- Damage repair estimates
- Photos of the accident scene
- Photos of the damages
- Witness statements
- The accident report
- Proof of missed work and lost wages
- Medical excuses
When you send the demand letter, which is formal notice of your intent to file a claim, you will want to provide copies of the supporting evidence. When the insurance company sees that you have sufficient proof of the cause of the crash as well as the damages that you suffered, they will be much more willing to negotiate a settlement with you without the claim having to advance to court.
Consult With A Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have been involved in a car accident that left you with damages and injuries, you should enlist the help of a personal injury attorney who is licensed in your state. When you retain the services of an auto accident injury attorney, you will not have to pay anything upfront. Instead, personal injury lawyers take cases on the contingency basis, which means your lawyer isn’t paid until you are compensated for your damages.
Additional Resources
Here are some additional resources regarding damages in a car accident:
