Recuperating after a car accident takes an unexpected physical, emotional and financial toll on those involved. While recovering compensation for medical costs and other losses cannot change what has happened, it can help crash victims to be able to get the medical treatment they need.
At Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak, our experienced South Bend car accident lawyers have been helping victims injured by the negligence of other drivers for decades. Below, we discuss the damages and other factors that may impact the overall value of an Indiana car crash claim.
Recovering damages in a legal claim is complex, involving many steps and deadlines. Having an experienced attorney who understands the law and how to accurately evaluate a claim’s value gives crash victims a significant advantage over those who go at it alone.
Not sure if you have a case? Call today for a free case review with an attorney. (844)-678-1800
What Type of Compensation Can I Recover After a Car Crash?
The type of compensation that car crash victims may be eligible to recover after an accident varies. Multiple contributing factors could impact your claim either way.
For instance, if you suffered a severe fracture as the result of a crash, you may require surgery and physical therapy afterward. You may also need a prescription to help with pain management. These are all factors that could potentially increase the value of a claim.
Alternatively, if a crash victim pushed for surgery before attempting physical therapy or other less invasive treatments the doctor recommended, it could end up hurting the value of a claim. Crash victims must mitigate their damages. This means following their treating physician’s plan of care and getting the treatment that is deemed to be reasonable and necessary.
Below are some of the types of compensations that crash victims may be eligible to recover:
- Medical expenses: Your costs could include surgeries, medications and physical therapy.
- Property damages: This compensation would help to repair or replace your vehicle.
- Lost wages: If a crash victim has to take time off work to recover.
- Pain and suffering: Crash victims often experience emotional distress, reduced quality of life and physical pain.
- Permanent disability: Some victims may become paralyzed or suffer other injuries that may affect their long-term health
- Funeral expenses: The families of victims who suffer fatal injuries may be able to recover compensation for their loved one’s burial and funeral expenses.
- Loss of consortium: This compensation is for the loss of companionship and/or support from spouses due to injuries.
How Will My Car Crash Claim Be Calculated?
Your car crash claim can be determined through various factors such as:
- Severity of injuries
- Damages
- Lost wages
- And more
Many car crash victims experience some, rather than all of these factors. Victims with life-threatening injuries may need a larger settlement to help them with substantial medical bills. Severe cases like ongoing physical therapy or a totaled vehicle can also play a major role in determining the value of a claim.
There are many calculators online that claim they can estimate the value of your car crash. However, these calculators have limited abilities. It is best to seek help from a knowledgeable attorney to ensure your claim is accurately valued. Undervaluing your claim could result in you paying out of pocket for any remaining medical expenses or repair damages.
What Factors Could Limit the Amount of My Claim?
Car crash victims are not expected to know how to value their claims. An experienced attorney who has helped multiple crash victims will have a much stronger understanding of all the factors that could help or hurt the value of their claim
Here are some factors that can impact a claim’s value if not handled properly:
- Delaying or not seeking any medical treatment after the crash
- Pre-existing injuries
- Lack of evidence, such as a police report
- Admitting to any fault
Our attorneys at Pfeifer Morgan and Stesiak are here to help you obtain the maximum compensation for your medical costs and other losses.
Can I Still Seek Compensation If I Am Partially at Fault?
If you contributed to the crash in some way, it could reduce the amount of compensation you are eligible to receive.
For example, if you knowingly drove with broken brake lights or you failed to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic, you would likely share liability for the crash.
Even if you are partially to blame, however, you may still be eligible to recover some compensation for your damages. Under Indiana’s modified comparative fault system, you may still be eligible to recover compensation for your damages. However, you must not be more than 51 percent or more at fault for the crash.
Contact Our South Bend Office. We Are Ready To Help.
After the trauma of a car crash, navigating through the legal process daunting. It is easy to miss deadlines or make mistakes that could hurt your claim, especially if you are still recovering from your injuries.
Our attorneys have in-depth knowledge of Indiana law and know the tactics that insurance companies may attempt to lowball your claim.
Call our South Bend law office today to speak to one of our attorneys. At Pfeifer, Morgan and Stesiak, we have decades of experience helping accident victims to get the compensation they need. Since we take car crash claims on contingency, we charge no upfront costs for our services.
Schedule a free case review today. (844)-678-1800
