A car accident can wreak havoc on the quality of life for those who have been in it. Lost wages, medical bills, and lost work hours are some of the many financial burdens that might arise. You can’t control what happens on the road, but you can take steps to lessen the financial burden. Here’s how to make recovering from a car accident a little less painful.
Common Damages That Lead to Financial Burden After a Car Accident
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering are your mental anguish in response to your injuries. No dollar amount can be put on this type of harm, but pain and suffering damages may include the following.
• Physical and emotional pain
• Emotional trauma
• Loss of enjoyment from life
• Emotional distress
Lost Wages or Income
If you were injured in a car accident, and as a result, you’re unable to work or produce income at your usual level, you may want to collect compensation for lost wages or income.
There’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to collect this type of compensation. It depends on how long you miss work due to the accident and how much money the lost wages cost your business. Your financial situation will be taken into account when determining if lost income is something worth pursuing.
You may lose work hours because of your car accident. This typically applies to people who are self-employed or work for companies that don’t offer health care coverage. You may also want to pursue claiming lost work hours if you can prove that you needed the income those hours would have provided.
Medical Bills
If you’re one of the thousands of people injured in a car accident and don’t have health insurance, paying for medical treatment may be an issue. The general rule is that your medical bills can be used as a source of compensation. The key is proving the extent of your injuries, which includes how much money it took to treat them and under what circumstances it was treated.
Car Damages and Repairs
If you’re one of the unlucky people whose vehicle was damaged in a car accident, you’ll have to pay for repairs. The cost of fixing your car may be deducted from your settlement in compensation. Insurance companies pay repair shops, but they usually have hefty recovery fees. Your insurance company will likely offer you a settlement that covers these costs.
Should I Hire an Attorney?
No rule says you must hire an attorney to receive compensation after a car accident. If you’re in a bind and unsure how to proceed, go with your gut. You can always hire an attorney if it seems like your situation is getting out of hand or you think the amount of money involved is worth it.
If you weren’t at fault in the car accident and need help to cover your car damages and medical expenses, it may be worth hiring a lawyer. Your attorney will determine who is liable for the accident and help you to get the compensation that you deserve. If you’ve been injured by a negligent driver and have questions about how to proceed, talk with an experienced attorney to determine your best course of action.
Conclusion
Always remember that your recovery from a car accident is one of the most important aspects of the process. The financial burden that accompanies car accidents can be overwhelming and affect the rest of your life. It’s important to find a way to ease these burdens, but you must be prepared for several options.