A total of 31,785 people died from car accidents in the U.S. last year (2022), according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If you live in Washington D.C. or anywhere else in Northern Virginia, home to 450,000 active drivers and over 5 million public transportation commuters, your risk factor from personal injury or even death from car or vehicular accidents is not negligible.
The likelihood of you getting injured from car accidents is obviously something to prepare for. Car accidents can be devastating, causing physical, emotional, and financial difficulties. If you or any loved one gets involved in a car accident, you may wonder how much compensation you’re entitled to for your injuries.
The answer to this question is complex, as the value of personal injury claims from car accidents depends on various factors. On top of that, individuals injured in car accidents frequently have to deal with insurance companies that prioritize avoiding or minimizing the compensation they have to pay instead of your physical and financial welfare.
A car accident attorney is your legal advocate to resolve these concerns. Let’s take a closer look at how car accident attorneys determine the value of personal injury claims and how they will guide you to your path to recovery.
Assessing Damages
The first step in determining the value of a personal injury claim from car accidents is to assess the damages suffered by the victim. Car accident attorneys look at various factors:
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- The severity of injuries
- The extent of property damage
- The impact on your quality of life
Future medical expenses, lost wages, and other economic damages, which can be difficult to quantify but are crucial in determining compensation, are also carefully examined.
Furthermore, the aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming, and dealing with insurance companies to understand your coverage and how to get it can be daunting.
Car accident attorneys deal with these preliminary concerns to ensure that your rights are protected, that you understand your insurance coverage, and that you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Evaluating Liability
With car accidents, determining who is at fault is essential in evaluating a personal injury claim. This process can be complicated, involving an investigation of the accident scene, gathering evidence, and reviewing police reports to determine who was at fault.
In some cases, when you may be partially responsible for the accident, the value of the personal injury claim may be reduced. Others are even entirely barred from recovery due to lack of compensation if found to be at fault. This can be devastating, especially if you have suffered severe injuries.
Car accident attorneys make sure that you will be entitled to compensation. They understand that fault is not always clear-cut, and other parties may be involved in the accident who share the responsibility. Their experience and expertise in navigating the complexities of determining fault in a car accident will ensure that your liability, if applicable, does not eliminate the compensation you need for recovery.
Understanding Insurance Coverage
Car accident attorneys also consider the insurance coverage available to the victim. They evaluate the liability limits of your insurance policy and determine whether you have any additional coverage, such as underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage. Suppose the value of the damages exceeds the insurance coverage available. In that case, the experienced car accident attorneys may consider pursuing compensation from other sources, such as your own insurance policy or the at-fault driver’s personal assets.
Car accident attorneys expect the tactics used by insurance companies to deny or delay compensation to those who have been injured. They know how insurance companies rely on accident victims’ lack of knowledge and action to protect their claims or how insurers count on accident victims’ lack of knowledge about their legal rights or the necessary steps to preserve their claim.
Negotiating a Settlement
Once the car accident attorney has assessed damages, evaluated liability, and determined insurance coverage, they begin negotiating a settlement with the insurance company. They present evidence of damages and liability and negotiate with the insurance adjuster to get a fair settlement that compensates you for your losses. If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair compensation, the attorney may file a lawsuit and take the case to court.
Experienced car accident attorneys handle car accident cases with an aggressive and detail-oriented approach. They construct the strongest possible case and put you in the best position to obtain the maximum compensation possible. They are fierce enough to take matters to trial or stand up to insurance companies and their strategies to negotiate a favorable settlement or get a positive outcome in court.
Expert Car Accident Attorney at Gore and Kuperman
Serious car accidents can happen suddenly and cause significant disruption to you and your family’s life. Such accidents can result in life-changing injuries or the death of loved ones, accompanied by increasing medical expenses, financial problems, or practical issues such as possible loss of mobility or other disability.
Car accident attorneys thus play a critical role in helping victims of car accidents get compensation for their injuries. Their knowledge, experience, and resources are helpful for assessing damages, evaluating liability, understanding insurance coverage, and negotiating a fair settlement.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, it’s essential to seek the advice of an experienced car accident attorney who can help you understand your legal rights and options for recovery.
Gore & Kuperman provides legal representation to individuals who have suffered injuries in car accidents in Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia. With extensive experience advocating for the rights of accident victims and a proven history of successful outcomes, the firm’s car accident attorneys take a stand against insurance companies that attempt to exploit victims of accidents to get fair compensation for victims and enable them to concentrate on their recovery.
Contact Gore and Kuperman today and connect to a car accident attorney to advocate for your recovery!