How Much Should You Settle for After a Car Accident?
There is no single answer to the question of how much you should settle for after a car accident. What a fair settlement looks like will vary from one situation to another because the level of damages will differ. As such, you should base the amount of compensation you seek on the combination of your financial expenses and losses which can include:
- Current and future medical care
- Current and future income losses
- Property damage or destruction
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the collision
Identifying the complete scope of your damages can be difficult when you are struggling with injuries. You may find it beneficial to have a third party with knowledge of damage valuation at your side, helping you review the financial consequences of your collision. Our firm can offer you this, as well as our knowledge of state laws and damage caps that may affect your case if you decide to go to court.
Build a Case File that Proves Your Right to Compensation
Because your lawyer and the at-fault driver’s representatives were not present when your car accident occurred, both sides will have to rely on several forms of evidence to tell the story of the collision. Our team can help you build a case file to establish the cause and effect of the collision. This file may contain:
- Photos
- Video footage
- Witness statements
- The crash report from law enforcement
Include Evidence of Your Damages
In addition to the items above, you will need documentation confirming the damages you are experiencing and those you will likely face in the future due to the collision. Examples of such evidence include:
- Medical records and bills
- Statements from your doctor regarding your prognosis
- Estimates regarding the repair or replacement of your vehicle
- Receipts for related out-of-pocket charges
The Importance of Your Medical Records When Valuing Your Collision Case
The medical records that establish your recovery times and expected prognosis can be of particular importance. Not only do they prove the cost of the medical care you have received and are currently receiving, but they can also help forecast the cost of care you may require in the future to achieve optimal physical recovery.
These records can help us make a case for recovering the cost of medical care you may require even after your lawsuit is settled. Failing to include this anticipated care might leave you paying medical bills the at-fault drive should have been responsible for out of your own pocket.
Protect Your Right to Seek a Financial Settlement After a Car Accident
In the event that you are unable to settle your collision claim, it’s crucial to retain your right to pursue damages through a lawsuit. This means keeping an eye on the filing deadline.
All U.S. states have a clearly defined timeline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. A lawyer from our team can explain the statute of limitations, or deadline, in your case and the importance of compliance. Failure to comply puts your right to file a lawsuit at risk of immediate dismissal, per the American Bar Association (ABA).
You can avoid this potentially damaging consequence by contacting our firm as soon as possible after your collision. By involving our team early, you give us time to attempt settlement negotiations and still file a lawsuit if needed before the allotted time expires.
Additional Filing Deadlines
In addition to the statute of limitations that govern personal injury lawsuits, your case might have additional factors or circumstances that change the filing deadline. For example, if a minor was injured in the accident, their age may allow you to toll, or pause, the timeline. If a loved one was fatally injured in the collision, state law might impose a different statute of limitations.
The deadline for incidents involving a municipal vehicle is also different from a typical personal injury lawsuit. You may also need to provide specific notifications to the governmental entity by a separate deadline. An attorney from our firm could help you identify all applicable timelines in your case and ensure timely compliance.
Do Not Settle for Less Compensation than You May Deserve
A car accident lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help you determine how much you should settle for after a car accident, along with other important details in your case. Our goal is to help you receive the financial compensation you deserve for the at-fault driver’s negligence. Contact the case assessment team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers by calling (337) 777-7777 to avoid having your lawsuit undervalued or underpaid.
