Every year, approximately 38,000 lives are claimed by auto accidents in the U.S., with countless others left nursing injuries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates these tragic events cost an astronomical $55 billion annually, just accounting for medical expenses and lost wage costs. If you're a Texan driver who has been involved in a collision, you might find yourself needing an accident attorney or car accident lawyer to help you navigate the ensuing legal complexities.
The legal repercussions following a car crash can be daunting. Whether it's a simple fender-bender or a serious accident involving a truck, car, or motorcycle, the compensation you could be entitled to heavily depends on the circumstances of the incident. Accident lawyers and injury lawyers will tell you that no two accidents are the same, and therefore, no two settlements will be identical.
The compensation you receive after an accident, often referred to as a car accident settlement, can cover various losses, including medical bills, lost wages, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and property damage. A truck accident lawyer or a motorcycle accident lawyer, depending on your case, could help you understand the nuances of insurance coverage and fault determination that often influence the settlement amount.
Settlements are often the most common outcome in personal injury claims. The responsible party's liability insurance typically covers the victim's damages, and an offer is made to settle the claim with a lump sum payment. The efficiency of this process often leads to quicker settlements, avoiding lengthy court procedures. An auto accident attorney can provide guidance on whether the proposed settlement is fair or whether it might be beneficial to sue for the car crash.
The time it takes to receive a car accident settlement varies but typically happens relatively quickly, averaging around 10.7 months according to previous studies. More than half of these claims are settled within six months.
How much compensation you receive from your car accident claim will largely depend on the extent of the damages and injuries incurred. The average claim for bodily injury following a collision was approximately $20,235 in 2020, while the average property damage claim stood at $4,711. It's important to note, however, that these are averages and each case's specifics can significantly influence these amounts. An accident attorney can help shed light on these details.
Factors that impact your car accident settlement can include your insurance coverage, the clarity of liability in the accident, the severity of injuries, the specific laws of your state, and the extent of the financial loss you've suffered. An auto accident lawyer can guide you through these complexities, helping you understand how each aspect might impact your claim.
Understanding the principles of contributory and comparative negligence, as well as the nuances of no-fault and fault states, can be particularly critical. For example, in contributory negligence states, even if you're found to be 1% at fault, you may not be eligible for compensation. Conversely, in comparative negligence states, you could be mostly at fault but still receive compensation for a portion of your losses. The assistance of a car accident lawyer or an injury lawyer can be invaluable in such situations.
In the end, the goal of a car accident settlement is to compensate you for your losses and help restore your life to the state it was in before the collision. This could include compensating you for lost wages, medical bills, and property damage. Engaging the services of skilled accident lawyers can greatly help you navigate these often challenging processes.
