Car accidents can have consequences many years after they happen. For that reason, it’s helpful to understand laws about compensation and why they are important.
According to Alabama Department of Transportation (ADOT) data, a traffic crash happens in the state approximately every three minutes and 55 seconds.
This crash course will explain the basics of car accident compensation, the factors influencing it, and strategies for maximizing compensation.
Understanding Car Accident Compensation
Car accident compensation is designed to be a financial fix for damages and losses to the victims. Types of compensation include:
- Economic compensation covers tangible, monetary losses, like medical expenses, property damage, and lost wages.
- Non-economic compensation covers pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life.
- Punitive compensation is granted in cases of extreme negligence or intentional wrongdoing to punish the at-fault party.
Considering motor vehicle crashes cost Alabama over $4 billion annually, understanding these categories is important for victims.
Factors Influencing Car Accident Compensation
Several factors influence the amount of compensation a car accident victim may receive:
- Degree of fault is the extent to which each party is responsible for the accident. Alabama follows a contributory negligence system. This outlines how much compensation a victim can receive.
- Severity of injuries describes the nature of the injuries and how they impact a person’s life.
- Medical treatment outlines the type and duration of medical treatment required by the victim.
- Insurance coverage varies according to each policy and can influence the amount of compensation.
- Documentation and evidence of the accident, including medical records, witness statements, income loss, and other evidence, can strengthen the case.
Maximizing Your Car Accident Compensation
Tips & Strategies
After a car accident, specific actions are key to protect your well-being and ability to get fair compensation. You should:
- Seek medical attention immediately. Prompt medical attention ensures your well-being and establishes a clear link between the accident and injuries. Get treatment even if you feel fine initially. Some injuries only become noticeable once the adrenaline wears off.
- Document everything. Keep all records of medical bills, police reports, photos of the scene, property damage, and other relevant expenses.
- Consult with an attorney. An experienced personal injury attorney is an ally in navigating personal injury law. Attorneys can provide invaluable guidance, assess how strong your case is, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
Understanding the Statute of Limitations
Understanding time limitations is important to your potential lawsuit. You should:
- Act promptly. File the claim within the two-year statute of limitations. This will prevent the loss of your right to file a lawsuit.
- Ensure all deadlines are met by talking with an attorney as soon as possible and consulting with your legal counsel regularly.
Whether dealing with the aftermath of a car accident or complex monetary damages, knowledge is a powerful tool. If you or your loved one has been a victim of a crash and need to seek rightful recovery, contact the law office of Timberlake & League. We can help
