Get In An Automobile Accident? Know What Factors Determine Your Settlement
If you were involved in a serious automobile accident that wasn't your fault, you most likely needed medical attention to help you with your injuries. After being released from the hospital, there could still be lingering issues that affect you physically and mentally. Hospital bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering are all damages that can occur due to an automobile accident. That's why it's important to know how damages are determined so you can have realistic expectations about your compensation.
Medical Treatments
You'll want to hold on to all medical documentation on hand for both your insurance company and attorney to look over. In addition to the bill you receive from the hospital, all other bills related to the injury are factored into you a settlement. This includes medication that you need, and medical devices like crutches, soft cast, or neck brace.
Your mobility also plays into your compensation. If mobility is limited due to your injuries and you cannot perform that job that you currently have, it's important that your doctor provides documentation that can prove this problem since you will have difficulties returning to work.
Lost Income
A serious injury can cause someone to be unable to get back to work following the accident. Lost hours are not only limited to the time at the hospital and recovering at home, but also any time you need to take off from work after you return that is related to the injury. This includes doctor visits or physical therapy. If you needed to be moved to a different position in the company that doesn't pay as well, you will also have lost wages as a result of this move.
Hold onto pay stubs that can prove what you were making before and after the accident, as well as help reflect lost wages immediately following the accident. It helps to have a written document provided by your employer that backs up this information as well. You are responsible for documenting your lost hours from work, so make sure to keep a detailed log.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering will be difficult to calculate an exact number for compensation, but now that it is a possibility. A jury factors how your life has changed due to the injury, which is why it is best to have a car accident attorney help argue your case in court. They can help prove your pain and suffering damages so that you can receive compensation for them.