Motor Vehicle Compensation

A motor vehicle is a device used to transport property or people on public roads and is powered by mechanical means. Motor vehicles include cars and trucks, buses, motorbikes, and even planes.

Two studies have found that interfacing with insurance companies when seeking compensation for a motor vehicle accident was associated with higher levels of anxiety. Further research is needed to determine the reason for this.

Damages

The value of your motor vehicle accident claim depends on the specific costs and losses you suffered. A personal injury lawyer can assist you in determining the proper amount of compensation to be awarded for your specific circumstances. Damages are usually classified as "special" or "general." The latter are expenses that can be calculated, like car repair or medical bills. General damages are not as easy to calculate and include non-economic factors like pain and suffering.

If your injuries are serious enough to be considered by New York law as a serious injury, you could be entitled to additional compensation over and beyond what an insurance provider will provide. If you suffer from a permanent disability which significantly affects your life quality and quality of life, you could be entitled to compensation for loss of consortium and other damages that are not economic.

You might be able to recover the costs of taxis, public transportation, or ridesharing services if you could not drive following your accident. You can also claim expenses for maintaining your yard or home if you cannot do it due to your injuries. You could be eligible to get the loss back in resales of your damaged vehicle.

In some cases the defendant may be ordered to pay punitive damages in the event that it is established that they deliberately caused the accident. These damages are designed to punish the guilty party for recklessness or negligence.

Medical bills

The victims of motor vehicle accidents frequently face high medical bills caused by their injuries. Some insurance policies for cars offer medical payment coverage (also known as medical pay) that can help cover the expenses. In many cases, this coverage is available regardless of who was at fault for the crash.

It is crucial to keep in mind that medical coverage does not substitute for health insurance. A victim must always submit claims first to his or her own insurance company prior Motor Vehicle Accident to filing a claim against the driver at fault. There is also compensation for transportation costs to and fro medical appointments. To ensure that they receive fair amount of compensation, the victims need to be diligent in tracking and saving receipts.

The No-Fault insurance can also provide compensation for the loss of wages, if they are unable to work due to their injuries. However, the maximum amount that can be claimed is $2,000 per month for a period of no more than three years. The No-Fault company could also be required to offset this amount with any Disability or Workers' Compensation or Social Security benefits the injured person is receiving.

Despite the financial assistance that is available, it could take months, and sometimes years, for a satisfactory settlement to be reached. In the meantime medical debt collection companies could be calling and unpaid bills could cause a significant damage to a person's credit rating. In order to avoid this, a person should establish an attorney-client relationship with a law firm that can provide representation in auto accident cases.

Loss of wages

You could be facing financial difficulties following a car accident. Medical bills as well as credit card debt and loan payments may accumulate while you are not able to work. In addition, the loss of income can create stress for your family. An experienced attorney in car accidents can help you recover lost wages as part of your compensation payout.

To prove the loss of your wages, you will need documentation that verifies your hourly or salary and the number of missed days due to injury. You can use a letter from the employer pay stubs, pay stubs, bank statements, tax return or other documents. Proving your income is more difficult when you are self-employed or on commission. An experienced attorney for car accidents will help you gather all the evidence necessary to prove your claim.

You are only able to recover your lost wages as part of a car accident claim. You are not able to recover your lost wages from worker's comp or disability insurance as this would be a double recovery.

The insurance company with no fault will send you to an independent doctor who they have hired to examine you. The doctor will decide if your injuries, in the opinion of a doctor, hinder you from working. This is referred to as an independent medical examination (IME), and it is important to note that the physician who performs your IME is biased towards the insurance company.

Suffering and pain

It is difficult to measure the suffering and pain caused by a car crash. It can be more debilitating than physical injuries, because the impact of a crash could result in emotional issues like PTSD. For example someone suffering from PTSD might suffer from anxiety and insomnia which may prevent them from getting a restful night's sleep, or they might be incapable of driving due to fear of a collision or motor vehicle accident getting hit again.

An attorney can calculate the total amount of non-economic damages, and collaborate with a juror to determine how much compensation to give for suffering and pain. The amount you receive will also be affected by the severity of your injuries and how they affect your daily life. It may be worthwhile to keep a diary or have family members or friends write a statement.

Certain states limit the amount of compensation available for suffering and pain. New York does not have any cap, however, victims are only able to file a lawsuit and request damages for serious injuries. It is important to speak with an Manhattan lawyer for car accidents to know the true cost of your injuries as well as how to prove that you are entitled to an adequate amount of compensation for your economic and non-economic losses.