In 2020, 38,824 people died in vehicle accidents in the United States. In 2021, around 43,000 people died in car crashes across the country. The numbers only seem to be increasing every year.
From 2020 to 2021, the death rate due to road accidents increased by 10.5%. This led 2021 to become the year with the highest number of deaths due to auto accidents in 16 years. As the number of road accidents increases every year, people must understand how to deal with it and why they need to take legal action if necessary.
If you’re involved in an accident, the last thing you should worry about is whether or not you’ll recover compensation. If the other driver was at fault, the insurance company would pay for damages and injuries up to policy limits. However, if they don’t offer enough money or refuse to pay at all, there are steps you can take as a victim of a car accident.
Your Medical Expenses Should be Paid for
If you are injured in a car accident, your medical expenses should be paid for by the other driver’s insurance. If possible, it is best to seek medical attention immediately following an accident to identify appropriate testing and any existing injuries.
If your injuries do not appear minor and require treatment beyond first aid (such as physical therapy), consider consulting an attorney who can help guide you through this process. They can also negotiate on your behalf with insurers over payment amounts owed due to negligence claims.
Some accidents are more critical than others. In T-bone car accidents, you might dislocate your limbs or get severely hurt in the neck. Of course, you must first determine who is at fault in such accidents. From an outsider’s perspective, the driver who ran into you is to blame for a T-bone accident. However, what if you did not stop at a red signal, and the other driver didn’t have any option but to run into you?
Thus, work with an attorney to figure all this out first before you decide to sue and ask the other person to pay your bills.
The Other Driver Must be Held Accountable
If the other driver is at fault, you must sue them. They are responsible for the accident that happened and will be held accountable for their actions. If they caused your injuries and you weren’t at fault, \they should be held responsible for all your damages, including medical bills and lost wages. You may also receive compensation for pain and suffering or mental anguish if you have been traumatized by this incident.
If you were partially at fault or if both parties were partly responsible for causing the accident, it is still highly recommended that you seek legal help from an attorney. It will help determine what course of action would suit your situation best. An attorney can help guide you through all possible outcomes and settle out of court if necessary with minimal stress on both parties involved.
You Shouldn’t Have to Pay for the Damage Done to Your Vehicle
If you’ve been in a car accident, and the other driver was at fault, they are responsible for covering the cost of your vehicle repairs. This includes expenses like parts, labor, and towing fees. The same goes for any losses in value due to the accident (such as paint damage).
In addition to ensuring you’re not stuck with an expensive bill when all is said and done. Suing may also help if you want additional compensation, such as pain and suffering or lost wages.
Damages Can be Awarded If You Lose Income from Missing Work
If you are injured in a car accident, the other driver’s insurance company will pay for all medical bills related to your injuries. However, if you lose income from missing work due to the accident, the other driver’s insurance company may not cover these lost wages or future earnings. If that happens and you decide not to sue them, they will not be liable for any damages.
For example, suppose your injury prevents you from working and earning a living as a result of someone else’s negligence. In that case, you should be responsible for paying any amount that represents what is called “loss of support.” This means compensation equivalent to what would have been earned at your old job had there been no accident and no resulting injuries. You might have to lawyer up and sue them to ensure that you receive this compensation.
You May be Eligible for Compensation to Pay for Any Ongoing Care and Mental Health Therapy
If you have sustained severe injuries as a result of the accident, you could be entitled to receive ongoing medical treatment. This can include physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment, and even surgery.
You’re also entitled to have your therapy costs covered. Auto accidents can leave people traumatized. You might not want to drive again, or worse, you may not want to step into a car again. Thus, you might need therapy, and the other person involved in the crash has to be the one to cover these costs.
Everything aside, you must seek justice for yourself. Thus, it’s only logical that you sue anyone who caused you to be in a car accident.
Approximately 1.3 million people die in road accidents every year. The sad yet grim reality of the modern world is that these accidents occur every day. Therefore, it’s vital that you stay safe on the roads, take legal action against those who put you in danger on the roads, and spread awareness about the importance of safe driving and road safety in general.
