A car accident can throw a serious wrench in your life. It can ruin your health, transportation, and even your livelihood. Although it isn’t good to harbor a grudge and seek revenge, you are well within your rights to seek as much compensation as possible. In order to make sure you get all the help you are entitled to, make sure that you consider the following aspects.
Primary Damages
Primary damages are the most obvious expenses that you can seek compensation for. These include things like repairs, ambulance rides, and hospital expenses. If the accident wasn’t your fault, you shouldn’t have to pay for these things. It is important that you keep track of each of these expenses and accurately report them to your insurance agency. If you are well organized, it should not take long for you to be compensated for these expenses.
The cost of damages to your car can be a bit tricky to calculate. If your car is considered totaled, then you should be paid the cost of what your car was worth. However, insurance companies tend to want to downplay this amount to pay you the least amount possible. The cost of damages becomes even more complicated when you are asked to repair the car. This is because it can be difficult to determine the extent of the damage done to the vehicle. There can be problems caused in the engine that are not immediately detectable. If left unfixed, these could result in secondary damages.
Secondary Damages
Secondary damages can be difficult to understand. They are also more difficult to receive compensation for. A secondary damage is a damage that occurs after the accident as a result of a primary damage. For example, perhaps you sustained injuries that prevent you from working. The loss of income from your job would be considered a secondary damage. After the accident, you should monitor your health and the performance of your car. If you note any changes, this could be due to secondary damages.
If you are seeking to file claims for secondary damages, you may wish to consult with a lawyer. A lawyer can help you know how to reach a settlement that awards the right compensation. You can then claim money based on the type of compensation awarded
Replacement Costs
The replacement cost of a car is the price that you must pay to buy a car of similar quality. For example, if you owned a 2004 Toyota Corolla with a clean title, and 180000 miles, the replacement cost would be the cost of buying a 2002-2006 sedan with a clean title and about 180000 miles. Sometimes, the replacement cost is less than what you received for your totaled car. If so, you just pocketed some extra cash. If not, then you may have to pay that expense yourself. In order to avoid this, speak with your lawyer about obtaining replacement compensation.
Property Damage
Although property damage is a primary damage, many people forget to take it into account. If you had valuable that were damaged in the accident, you’ll want to get them replaced. If you were transporting commercial goods, you should take pictures of them. Make sure that you take quality pictures of each item individually. This will provide proof for your claim when you ask for them to be replaced. You can also ask for compensation for any consumer electronics. Perhaps your phone screen cracked, or your laptop was broken. These might be items that were damaged as a result of the other driver’s negligence. The other driver should be responsible for replacing them.
Negotiating the Price
Negotiating the settlement of your insurance claims is not the time to be a pushover. The other driver and their insurance company will be doing their best to avoid paying you any more than the absolute minimum. In the face of all this, it can be easy to get overwhelmed. A good insurance company and lawyer will take the stress off your shoulders and fight for you. With the right people on your side you will see an increase in your compensation.
Although an accident will certainly be a shock to your daily routine, it doesn’t need to ruin your life. You just need to get help from trusted advisers and get organized. If you don’t back down, you will see many of your problems cared for by the insurance agencies.
Here’s another article you might like: What To Do When You Are The Passenger In An Accident