No amount of money can restore how you were before you experienced a car accident. However, you can seek compensation for all the damages you’ve suffered. Seeking compensation after a car accident is a complex procedure that requires the help of a personal injury attorney. Besides that, various factors determine how much you can obtain as your car accident settlement, including the type and severity of the injuries you’ve suffered and the types of damages you claim, which you must navigate to obtain compensation.
At Scherline Injury Law, we’re ready to help you manage the complex car accident settlement process to maximize your compensation. Ranked as the top personal injury law firm in Lehigh Valley, you can rest assured that we will fight for you until you get the compensation you may be entitled to. Meanwhile, read on to learn more about car accident settlement.
Car Accident Settlement Process in Pennsylvania
A car accident settlement is a complex process that varies by liability and damages. Understanding each step is vital to smoothly navigating the process and ensuring you get fair compensation. This process typically involves the following procedures:
Investigation
In this step, all crucial evidence related to the car accident you were involved in is collected and verified to be used as evidence during your settlement or trial. It includes photos of the accident scene, vehicles involved, and injuries you’ve incurred. It also involves gathering information and statements from eyewitnesses.
Police reports from the car accident are another crucial piece of the investigation you should consider. They provide official records of the car accident, including the location, time, and conditions that contributed to it.
Sending a Demand Letter
A demand letter is a professional document written by an attorney presenting facts about a car accident to persuade the at-fault party insurance company to pay compensation. There are two potential outcomes of sending a demand letter. A settlement may be negotiated or litigation may need to be filed.
Types of Settlements
The kind of compensation you get from a car accident case depends on the damages you have incurred. The basic types of damages that you may seek include the following:
Medical Expenses
The medical bills arising from a car accident may include the following:
- Ambulance fees
- Physical and cognitive therapy if you suffered a brain injury
- Consultation fee
- Disfigurement
- Accessories such as heat pads or crutches
- In-home services
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering refer to physical or mental distress that a car accident victim may seek damages for in a lawsuit. These damages are based on the types of injuries, the extent of the pain suffered, and the prediction of future pain related to the injury.
Lost Wages
Injuries suffered from a car accident may affect your earning capacity due to:
- Physical injuries
- The time spent in the hospital
- Problems with mobility
- Time spent in hospital
Please note that you must prove that the injuries suffered in the car accident impaired or diminished your earning capacity based on your past earnings. The jury will determine your earnings based on life expectancy, occupation, skills, and age.
Loss of Companionship or Affection
The spouse of an injured person can file a claim for loss of companionship, affection, or consortium as part of a car accident settlement case. This extends to a situation where a car accident victim dies from the injuries suffered from the accident.
Punitive Damages
This type of settlement is given if it’s proven that the at-fault driver engaged in intentional misconduct or gross negligence that led to the car accident you were involved in. You can also seek a settlement to punish the at-fault party for their behaviors, such as texting while driving and drunk driving.
How Long Until I Receive a Settlement?
There’s no specific period for a car accident settlement. The timeline varies depending on whether the at-fault party decides to settle the amount included in your demand letter, how long your pre-settlement negotiations take, and the time the trial takes.
Get the Compensation You Deserve With Scherline Injury Law
Seeking a car accident settlement alone can be daunting, and you may end up without compensation or an amount that’s way below what you deserve. Scherline Injury Law is here to help you fight for the compensation you deserve as you focus on your recovery. We pride ourselves on offering our clients compassionate and detail-oriented legal services that most personal law firms in Pennsylvania lack. Contact us today to book a free consultation.
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