When you’ve been in a car accident, one of the first thoughts that comes to your mind is. Who is responsible for paying for this? If you’re like most people, you’re feeling nervous about the road that lies ahead, and you have no idea how you’re going to afford all of the repairs as well as all of the bills that seem like they’re growing bigger and bigger with every passing day.
The good news is that the answer to your question might just be: Not you. That’s because when you’re in a car accident, if the accident wasn’t your fault, or you weren’t totally to blame for it, you might be able to get compensation from the other driver’s insurance company. This compensation will cover a few different things.
Lost Income
Car accidents almost always result in some type of lost income. Whether you just need to take a few days off to recover from something minor, or you end up on temporary or even permanent disability after a major crash, you lose money. Your car accident settlement will cover this amount.
Medical Bills
From the paramedics who took care of you at the scene of the accident to the emergency room visit and random doctor’s visits and tests that happened afterwards, you now have a mountain of bills. Your medical insurance shouldn’t have to cover those bills; especially if the accident wasn’t your fault. The other driver’s insurance company should have to cover them, regardless of how many there are, or how much they are. Your medical bills provide a glimpse into the hardship this accident has caused for you, and you deserve to have them compensated.
Car Repairs or Replacement
After an accident, you just want your car back. You don’t want to drive a rental car you’re not familiar with, and you can’t afford to be without transportation. The other driver’s insurance company should pay for your repairs, and they may recommend that you get a few different estimates. If your car needs to be replaced because it was totaled in the crash, keep in mind that you probably won’t get back as much as you paid for it because of its depreciation. Still, you should be able to get it replaced.
Pain and Suffering
It’s difficult to put an amount on your pain and suffering. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you’ve lost a portion of your enjoyment of life. You might be in constant pain, or it might come and go. You might be dealing with some emotional trauma too. These all fall under the heading of pain and suffering, and the insurance company should offer you something to compensate you for the inconvenience of the accident.
One thing is for certain. When you’re in an accident, paying the bills should be the least of your concerns. When you work with an attorney, he’ll make sure that he handles all of that so you can focus on getting better and getting your life back on track.
