Until you are involved in an auto accident, it can be hard to understand the impact that an experience like this can have on your life. If you have been in an accident that has damaged your vehicle or caused injury to you or your loved ones, you should be compensated for what you have gone through.
The total financial impact of a Bay Area auto accident can be a lot higher than you think. When another driver is at fault because of negligence, distracted driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances or any other reason, they should be held accountable. You deserve fair compensation for how the accident has harmed you and disrupted your life.
Vehicle Damage
Damage to your vehicle caused by another driver can be very costly. Whether your vehicle needs to be repaired or completely replaced, the cost of the damage to your property is just the beginning of the total financial impact that an accident can have on you.
Other expenses that you may have to deal with after an accident include the cost of towing the vehicle and parking it in a storage yard where it may be continuing to accrue fees. Renting a vehicle while your vehicle is disabled can also be costly.
Personal Injury
If you or someone you love has been hurt in an accident, it can be devastating. Medical bills can pile up quickly and cause a great deal of stress.
While some injuries are temporary such as bruises or broken bones, other injuries can permanently affect your life and your ability to bring in the same income that you did before the accident. You may not be able to work for a period of time, so you also deserve to be able to recover some or all of your lost wages. If your injuries are more severe, you should be compensated for lost earning power.
It’s important to get timely medical treatment after an accident. Not all injuries are apparent right away, so be sure to have a thorough medical exam that will document any and all injuries. Also, report any symptoms to your doctor, even if they seem minor.
Compensatory Damages
In the state of California, there has to be proof that the other driver caused the accident in order to be compensated for a claim. When awarding damages, the judge or jury can apply comparative negligence, which means if you are determined to be partially at fault, the amount of your claim would be reduced by the percent that you were found to have contributed to the accident.
Compensatory damages fall into two categories:
- Special damages are financial losses, such as lost wages, property damage, car rentals, etc.
- General damages include pain, suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement and reduced quality of life.
Get Expert Legal Advice
After an auto accident, getting immediate medical attention is your first priority, but as soon as you can, get legal representation. The sooner you have a lawyer on your side, the better your chances of securing the necessary evidence to prove negligence on the part of the other driver.
Another reason to get expert legal advice after you have been in an accident is so that you can clearly understand what compensation you are entitled to. An expert also gives you someone who will advocate on your behalf.
Kuvara Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for those who have been injured due to negligence in the state of California. Contact us, and one of our attorneys will be in touch very soon to help determine how much compensation you are entitled to.
