After being involved in a car accident, you might face physical, mental, and financial difficulties that can impede or delay your road to recovery. Additionally, the insurance company may have already reached out for a recorded statement or to schedule an adjuster to calculate your losses. It gets overwhelming, but with the help of Vaughan and Vaughan, it doesn’t have to be.If you were injured in a car crash and haven’t accepted any offers from the insurers, we can guide you through the necessary steps to follow after an accident. Our Lebanon, Indiana, car accident attorneys will schedule a free consultation with you to review your accident claim, estimate the value of your case, and advise you of your legal options. If you are seeking an affordable personal injury lawyer in Lebanon or you just need some standard car accident questions answered, feel free to connect with us or read on to learn more.
What’s Considered When Calculating Your Settlement Amount
The following factors significantly influence your settlement for accident injuries:
Accident-Related Healthcare Costs
Medical costs tend to be the biggest portion of accident settlements. All medical expenses affiliated with your accident, from medical testing to prescription costs, are recoverable. It is recommended that you keep duplicate records of your medical bills and submit them to your attorney for review.
Change in Income
Due to your injuries, you may face reduced hours or even unemployment. If you are unable to work because of the severity of your injuries, keep your pay stubs that reflect the reduced hours and allow your lawyer to factor this in.
Insurance Coverage
The policy limits of the other parties aren’t often revealed, but they play a huge factor in how much money you can be awarded after a car wreck. Your legal team will inform you if your insurance can cover some of your expenses and if a lawsuit is necessary to obtain a fair settlement.
Things to Avoid After a Collison
It is common to search for “what to do following a car accident,” but we like to think outside the box. Chances are, if you are on our page, you are looking for things that you may have missed and want to ensure that you have the bases covered. Our Lebanon, IN, car wreck lawyers offer practical legal advice. We highly recommend that you avoid:
Waiting: The statute of limitations restricts the amount of time that a survivor has to file a personal injury claim. The time allotted for our state is two years. Avoid waiting before you lose your chance at compensation forever.
Apologizing or admitting fault at the scene: Did you know apologizing after a car wreck implies guilt? Immediately following a car accident, refrain from apologizing or implying that you didn’t see the person because your dialogue may assign you some fault under Indiana’s modified comparative negligence law. Since your compensation package can be significantly reduced, avoid saying anything that could suggest that you contributed to the wreck.
Posting online: Insurance companies love using a person’s social media to invalidate their claim or minimize harm. Posting to a social media platform is a viable giveaway that you may not be as hurt as you claimed or that you were driving while distracted.
Defend yourself without help: Our car wreck lawyers in Lebanon, IN, offer a free consultation with no obligation to you. Even if you are considering representing yourself, take advantage of free legal advice before speaking with the insurance company.
Skipping medical visits: Similar to posting on social media, the insurance agency will use your inconsistencies against you to reduce or deny your claim. If you must miss your appointment, reschedule as close to your appointment date as possible.
Additionally, never allow the insurance company to take a recorded statement or have access to your medical records before speaking with a car accident attorney in Lebanon, IN. A lawyer can save you from lowball offers and unethical tactics that insurers use daily.
How to Know if You Qualify for Non-Economic Damages
Car wrecks in the United States commonly cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The traumatic experience of a collision can lead to mental anguish, such as feelings of anxiety and distress. This is why emotional damage can be factored into a personal injury settlement.Car accidents have been proven to be mentally damaging to the sufferer. During a catastrophic event, your nervous system is heavily triggered. It can be debilitating and life-altering. You will know if you qualify for emotional distress if you experience:
Insomnia
Easily startled or overwhelmed
Detachment
Broken Focus
Personality changes
Anxiety
Depression
Nightmares or triggering flashbacks
Thoughts of suicide
If you were in a serious accident, you could be experiencing these things as a direct result of your car wreck. This is normal and can be treated with the help of a mental health expert. Getting treatment as soon as possible can prevent it from worsening while providing proof of pain and suffering to win a larger settlement.
Calculating Intangible Loss
Estimating how much you will win for intangible losses like pain and suffering or diminished quality of life can be tricky. Unlike physical injuries, progress is not easily measured and can’t be quantified using the treatment plan alone. The following factors will be considered:
The extent of your injuries and severity of your harm
Your daily capacity to carry out everyday tasks since the accident
Your recovery time
The intentionality or recklessness of the negligent act
If the state has a cap on non-economic damages
Take Advantage of a Risk-Free Consultation After a Lebanon, IN, Car Wreck
Vaughan & Vaughan has been an advocate for personal injury victims for over 100 years. If our longstanding reputation fails to convince you, contact our car accident lawyers in Lebanon, IN, right now to arrange a risk-free case evaluation. This firm will plan ways to increase your compensation while you concentrate on getting well and managing the aftermath of an accident. Avoid choosing a law firm that provides you with less than what you believe you deserve. When you wish to pursue the maximum settlement possible, get in touch with us right away.
Exceptional Truck Accident Knowledge
Attorney Charles J. Vaughan is the only lawyer in the State of Indiana to hold a Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). This distinction provides our clients with a clear advantage in trucking and other commercial vehicle accident cases.
