How Much Is Your Auto Accident Compensation Worth? Damages caused by car accidents are aimed to compensate victims for their losses. Some of the damages include property damage, medical bills and suffering and pain. In New York you have three years following an accident to make a claim. However, waiting too long could harm your case. As time passes, evidence could be lost or destroyed and witnesses may forget key details. Damages In the event of a crash in a car the victims may receive compensation for the economic loss they suffered, such as medical bills and lost wages. In addition, they could be compensated for non-economic damages like pain and discomfort. However, how much your claim is worth depends on the extent of your injuries and their impact on your life. A skilled lawyer for auto accidents will help you determine the worth of your injuries and damages to property, and then negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company. Insurance companies are in business of making money. This means that they will try to settle your claim as low as possible. You need an attorney who will fight to get the maximum amount you are entitled to. In addition to the costs of repairing your vehicle, you may also be eligible to claim compensation for any personal items which were damaged in the collision. This includes your shoes, clothing, and jewelry. You can also get compensation for the costs of household chores, gardening or childcare, if cannot do these things due to injuries. In determining the amount of your claim, the deductible is also considered. You'll have to pay your deductible prior to the insurance company starts to cover your losses. You can then file a lawsuit against the driver who is at fault in order to recover any remaining sums of your damages. Medical bills Medical expenses arising from a car accident can quickly mount up. The cost for an ambulance ride, hospital stay or inpatient treatment can amount to tens of thousands of dollars or more. The cost of prescription drugs, physical therapy, and other services may increase as the injured person recovers. When a driver is found be at the fault in a lawsuit, they are responsible for paying the victim's damages, which includes medical expenses. However the law does not generally require an at-fault driver to pay for their victim's medical bills on an ongoing basis. If you don't live in a state that is a no-fault state the first step for receiving reimbursement for medical expenses is to apply for PIP coverage (personal injury protection). The coverage could pay for all or a portion of your medical costs, according to the limits of your policy. You must also make a claim with the insurance policy of the driver who is at fault for any liability coverage they carry in addition to the uninsured motorist coverage on your car insurance. These policies can reimburse you for medical costs, but they often come with deductibles or other terms. An experienced lawyer can assist you in the process of getting medical bills paid. This will save you from having to spend your income for medical treatment and will allow you to concentrate on your recovery. Lost wages Car accidents can cause you to miss work. It is possible that you will not be able pay your bills and suffer a loss of income due to. You might need to borrow money from friends or family members. Settlements can take a long time. In the meantime, you must continue to pay the bills out of your pocket, and then wait for the settlement. A claim for lost wages can help you recover the money you would have earned if not for the car accident injury. This can include hourly earnings and salary, but could also include other financial benefits such as bonuses and raises. Your attorney can calculate the actual loss earnings. You can make a claim through an insurer that does not have fault or sue the party at fault for the loss of wages. The claim is usually made up of your medical bills, evidence of work missed due to your injuries, as well as the evidence of your loss in earnings capacity. This is often called demand package. You'll need to submit a letter from your employer to confirm your employment information, including the days you were absent because of your injuries and the hours you work normally. You will need to provide your pay stubs, tax documents and other relevant documents. Your attorney can help you in obtaining these documents and prepare a compelling demand to give to the insurance company or judge in your case. Suffering and pain While some of the costs associated with a crash can be calculated to the penny--such as emergency services, medical bills, surgery costs, medications and lost wages, there are other expenses that cannot be quantified. These unquantifiable losses are referred to as suffering and pain and they are an important part of a victim's compensation claim. The term "pain and suffering" refers to both the emotional and physical consequences of an accident. A victim's injuries may be long-lasting and impact their lives, resulting in permanent impairment or even death. For instance, a victim who suffers from a crippling brain injury could never work or function normally again. These kinds of injuries typically warrant a large settlement. In most instances, the amount pain and suffering a victim receives depends on the severity of their injuries as well as how the injury has affected their lives. An experienced attorney will examine the details of your case to determine an appropriate settlement. They will use previous settlement amounts for similar accident injuries as a guide to give you an idea of what your case may be worth in terms of suffering and pain. Insurance companies attempt to deny the claims of victims for suffering and pain, in the belief that their injuries are not severe enough. A knowledgeable lawyer can defend against these tactics and negotiate on behalf of the insurer to ensure you receive an equitable settlement.