Accident investigations often uncover multiple contributing factors in accidents.
Most motor vehicle accidents involve speeding, failing to yield, following too closely, running red lights or stop signs without stopping and speeding further, speeding again or following too closely behind another driver too closely, running red lights or stop signs without stopping and running red lights/stop signs without stopping (among others). Furthermore, drivers may become injured due to defects in their vehicles.
Damages
Pleasant Grove Car accident can leave lasting physical and psychological trauma. The American civil court system recognizes this, and victims deserve compensation for all they’ve lost due to a collision. Compensational or punitive damage awards may be awarded in response to such losses incurred as compensation for property and bodily injuries suffered as a result.
Economic losses include medical bills and expenses, lost work time due to injuries and the costs associated with retraining for new jobs if your old career cannot return. A car accident attorney at Krasney Law can assist in recovering these past and future economic losses.
Non-economic damages refer to things such as pain and suffering, mental anguish and emotional stress that are difficult to quantify with bills alone; your lawyer may use journals or expert testimony as proof. Loss of consortium damages are also claimed on behalf of injured partners by spouses claiming for them.
Injuries
Victims can experience serious injuries in car accidents ranging from minor sprains and strains to permanent loss of limbs requiring rehabilitation treatment and ongoing therapy. Broken legs, arms, hands or wrists are often present; severe head, neck, chest, pelvis or abdominal injuries such as concussions, internal bleeding and even traumatic brain injuries may also occur frequently.
Penetrating injuries occur when any part of a body comes in contact with an interior surface of a vehicle, such as hitting the steering wheel, dashboard or loose objects thrown from within it, which may result in severe puncture wounds that do not manifest until days or weeks later.
Back injuries are another of the more frequently experienced injuries in car accidents, though their symptoms may take several months or even years to become evident. Therefore, it is crucial that individuals visit their doctor as soon as possible after an accident – even if they believe themselves fine – in order to establish medical records which support your claims of injury without creating suspicion that you may be exaggerating symptoms or making up problems that do exist.
Fault
Many states utilize laws known as pure comparative fault, wherein your share of damages may be adjusted depending on how much responsibility each party holds in causing the crash. This differs from modified comparative fault rules which only permit payment of certain percentage of expenses by someone else.
Driver errors account for seven percent of all car crashes, such as speeding, failing to yield at red lights or stop signs, reckless driving and other potentially hazardous maneuvers.
When assessing fault, an insurance company will review the police report and speak with witnesses to gain evidence of negligence and causation – key components in getting compensation for losses sustained as a result of an accident. Furthermore, they’ll assess damage to both your car and property as well as any quantifiable economic and non-economic damages you incurred from it; such as medical bills, out-of-pocket expenses and loss of income.
Insurance
Car insurance coverage comes in many shapes and forms, according to a car accident lawyer. Liability coverage is mandatory by law; while collision and comprehensive plans may be optional depending on whether your lender requires them or whether your lease/loan agreement requires them.
Bodily Injury Liability covers medical expenses (up to your policy limits) for you and other passengers in your vehicle, regardless of who caused an accident. Uninsured Motorist Coverage reimburses any losses sustained due to an uninsured or under-insured driver who causes harm to you.
Property Damage Liability insurance covers the costs associated with repairing or replacing your vehicle if it collides with another car or object such as trees, lamp posts or fences. Usually this form of coverage requires payment of a deductible fee upfront.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays for your medical expenses, lost wages and other costs arising from an accident up to your policy limits – PIP can even cover funeral costs if applicable.