Imagine. You're driving to work or to meet a loved one when, almost without warning, you're involved in a car accident. A vehicle collision can be a terrifying event. In addition to your injuries, you likely have multiple questions, such as who will pay your medical bills and how you will be compensated for your losses. There may be frustration and anger regarding the situation and those at fault. Many victims wonder how much one can sue for in the event of an auto accident.
After a car accident, a lawsuit or claim should cover at least your medical expenses and any property damage. However, your car accident-related damages may extend beyond medical expenses and vehicle repairs. After the collision, you may need to miss work to recover from your injuries. In severe cases, you may be unable to return to the same job or carry out the same duties. Since the incident, you may have also experienced mental anguish, PTSD, and pain and suffering, all of which have contributed to a lower quality of life. You have the right to sue for fair and complete compensation if you've been injured in a car accident due to someone else's negligence or recklessness.
The statute of limitations for bringing legal action following a car incident in Vermont differs depending on whether or not the accident caused an injury, a death, or property damage. So it is very important that you contact an attorney such as Brandon J. Broderick to help you with your claim as soon as possible.
In such a time of need, the presence of trustworthy legal counsel can be reassuring. The attorneys at Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, are committed to providing each client with superior legal representation. This means that you will not have to deal with any of the legal nonsense that may arise in a car accident case. Other law firms cannot match the quality of service we provide. This is just one of the many reasons why our Vermont auto accident attorneys are the best in the state. If you have been injured in a Vermont car accident, please contact us for a free evaluation of your case.
How Much in Damages Can Be Recovered for My Vermont Car Accident?
Accident victims frequently inquire about this, but the answer is not always straightforward. It is hard to provide a universally accurate estimate of the value of your claim because the circumstances of each auto accident are unique. In general, we assist our clients in pursuing full and fair compensation for all of their accident-related injuries.
Typically, an insurance company will want to reach a swift settlement with an accident victim. This method allows insurance companies to pay significantly less than they would if the injured party had appropriately assessed their injuries or consulted an experienced auto accident attorney. Before you may even consider a settlement offer, you must quantify the losses resulting from your injury. A first settlement offer may appear attractive. However, this may be before the total cost of medical care, lost earnings, and other potential losses are considered. You may be able to recover both economic and non-economic losses, such as medical expenses.
Suing after a Car Accident for Medical Bills and Lost Wages
In car accident cases, the full cost of your medical bills, both during the immediate aftermath of the accident and ongoing treatment, is demanded. Your claim can include a demand for compensation for these future medical costs if your treatment will take a long time to complete or if you have serious injuries that will require ongoing treatment.
The following are a few examples of medical expenses that can be listed in an automobile accident lawsuit:
- Doctor bills
- Hospital and surgery bills
- Rehabilitation services and therapy
- Medications
- Medical devices
- Costs of retrofitting your home or car
It is important that you do not settle your claim until you fully understand your medical prognosis and anticipated course of treatment. You cannot later reopen your claim after agreeing to a settlement to seek compensation for additional medical care.
Your compensation demand should reflect the lost wages you would have made had you not been hurt if you missed work as a result of your injuries. You may pursue lost future wages in severe injury cases when the victim would not be able to return to the same employment or work.
Generally speaking, the amount you can sue for a car accident depends on the size of your medical costs and other damages that you are seeking. In these situations, it is crucial to seek the assistance of a car accident attorney who can defend your best interests during the negotiating process with insurance companies and responsible parties, which may be fairly complicated. If you pursue a high-value claim with the aid of an accident attorney, the majority of insurance adjusters will take you seriously, making it much simpler to receive maximum recompense.
Car Accident Claims for Emotional and Mental Distress
For non-economic or intangible losses, compensation is frequently sought in vehicle accident claims. Since these are subjective damages for emotional harm and mental suffering incurred as a result of the injuries, they cannot be determined by bills or records.
The degree and permanence of your physical injuries are taken into account by insurance companies because each case and payout is different. To look at it another way, if you sustained a severe brain injury that necessitated prolonged hospitalizations and rehabilitation, you will be entitled to greater compensation for pain and suffering than if you broke your leg. The more mental suffering and loss you will endure as a result of your injury, the more compensation you should receive for your damages.
Vermont is a “Fault” State
Because of the "fault" insurance system in Vermont, if one driver is judged to be at fault in an accident, their insurance company is liable for paying for the damages incurred by the other driver. This condition is also called a "tort" state. The at-fault driver's insurance coverage covers the damages incurred by the other driver; nevertheless, the police and the insurance provider must determine who is at fault.
In Vermont, it is also possible for both drivers to share some of the responsibility for a collision. In an accident where one driver received a 20% fault rating while the other received an 80% rating, for instance, there would be shared fault. This does not alter the fact that the driver who is at fault for the collision will be held liable by their insurance.
Let us Help You With Your Vermont Car Accident Lawsuit
Working with an attorney who has a significant amount of experience handling auto accident cases can make a huge difference in how your case turns out. There could be more than one responsible party in some circumstances. However, figuring out who is at fault and how much your claim is worth is difficult. Why take a chance on receiving unequal compensation and being powerless to correct it?
When you retain a VT personal injury attorney from Brandon J. Broderick, you can be sure that they will be an enthusiastic group fighting for your interests and prioritizing your needs. We only get paid if we win your case; our fees are contingent. You won't have to pay if we lose.
For a free consultation, get in touch with Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law. Our attorneys have an established track record of success with automobile accident claims and are dedicated to client care.