Injuries in a car accident can leave you with physical and financial damages. If another party was responsible for your collision, you might be entitled to monetary compensation through a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
You can recover compensation to help cover a variety of complications that can arise after a car accident. At Morris Bart, we know how devastating the consequences of a car accident can be. Let us take care of your legal and financial situation so that you can focus on recovering from your injuries. Contact us to get started with a free case evaluation.
Determining Who Is Liable
One of the first things that must be accomplished before recovering financial compensation after an accident is determining who is liable for the damages. Sometimes, the responsible party is easy to identify, but in other cases, it can be rather tricky. An experienced car accident lawyer at Morris Bart can help determine who was at fault after a crash.
A liable party doesn’t even have to be someone on the road at the time of the crash. For example, car manufacturers, repair shops, and government agencies responsible for maintaining roadways can be liable for a collision.
How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help?
When you hire a car accident lawyer, one of the first steps they will take is to launch an independent investigation into your accident. The purpose of this investigation will be to identify all parties that are liable for your crash and help build your case as strong as possible so that you can recover fair compensation.
During the course of their investigation, your car crash lawyer is likely to:
- Visit the scene of the accident
- Speak with any witnesses and record their statements
- Consult with various expert
- Review the police report, your medical records, and any other documentation related to the crash
Once they have gathered as much information about your accident as possible, your attorney will evaluate the damages you have suffered and calculate how much your claim is truly worth. They will then prepare all of the required documents and either file a claim with the liable party’s insurance company or file a lawsuit with the court.
Throughout the process, your lawyer will also contact the legal team from the other side. They will work to negotiate a fair settlement deal that can bring your case to a satisfying conclusion in a timely manner. If a settlement can not be reached, your attorney will represent you in court and attempt to get you a favorable judgment.
Types of Damages You Can Claim
There are three main types of damages that you may be entitled to after a car accident. They are:
- Economic damages
- Non-economic damages
- Punitive damages
Economic Damages
These are the costs people tend to think of first after a crash. Economic damages include medical bills, repair costs, and lost wages. Basically, economic damages are anything with a direct monetary cost.
Non-Economic Damages
These damages are far more challenging to quantify. Economic damages include things like pain and suffering, loss of companionship, permanent disability, and loss of enjoyment in life. Because these damages can not be repaired, they tend to make up the most significant portion of a compensation payout.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages only apply when the liable party’s actions were egregiously negligent or performed with wanton disregard for public safety. These damages are not meant as compensation for the accident victim’s loss but rather as punishment for the responsible party.
Calculating Your Damages
One of the most challenging things for people inexperienced with personal injury law is calculating the total cost of an accident claim. While it can be easy to add up the medical and repair bills you have received so far, it can be far more difficult to determine your future medical costs or calculate how much your pain and suffering are worth.
Those who attempt to represent themselves in a car accident case often significantly undervalue their claim. While someone representing themselves might succeed in recovering the money they believe will cover their costs, they will likely find that the long-term damages are far more significant than they ever imagined.
An experienced car accident attorney is familiar with the long-term costs of a personal injury. Therefore, they will be in a much better position to evaluate your damages accurately. Additionally, they can make a much more compelling argument, backing up the figure they determined to be appropriate.
How Much Does an Auto Accident Attorney Charge?
Most car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they only collect money if they can recover compensation for their clients. When your attorney’s pay is contingent upon them securing you a payment, you can rest assured that they will do everything in their power to ensure you get the money you deserve.
When a car accident lawyer succeeds in getting money for their client and collects a fee, it comes as a percentage of the payout to the client. You will never have to pay your car crash lawyer a penny out of your own pocket.
At Morris Bart, we offer prospective clients a free case evaluation. Through this payment system, we can provide experienced legal help to all accident victims, no matter their financial means.
How Long do I Have to File a Lawsuit?
Each state has its own statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit. Depending on where you live, you could have anywhere between one and six years to file a lawsuit after a car accident.
However, it is crucial to be aware of the fact that special circumstances may apply to your case, which could affect the amount of time you have to file and make it differ from the stated statute of limitations for your state.
The best way to ensure that your lawsuit gets filed on time is to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer. Your attorney will be able to identify whether there are any unique factors in your case and ensure that all deadlines are met.
A Law Firm You Can Trust
When hiring a car accident lawyer, it is critical that you find someone with whom you feel comfortable and who also has a proven track record of getting positive results for their clients. At Morris Bart, we have helped countless accident victims recover the money they need to get their lives back on track after a crash.
Give us a call or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation. A legal team member will review your case, answer any questions you may have, and advise you of your options. You are not obligated to retain our services, so feel free to reach out to us today.