Side-impact collisions can seriously damage vehicles. The side is often the weakest point when it comes to collision protection. Because of this, accident victims are more likely to be hurt in a side-impact collision, according to the Journal of Biomechanics. This also means their property damage and medical costs are extensive.
If you or a loved one is recovering from injuries from a side-impact collision, then you likely are managing these expenses already. Fortunately, civil law gives you recourse to sue the person who caused your accident for compensation. If you can collect compensation in a lawsuit, then you can help you handle new financial burdens related to the accident. If you wish to take legal action, a San Francisco side-impact collisions lawyer might be able to help. Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC, at (844) 730-0233, for a free consultation about your case.
Common Costs of Side-Impact Collisions
Being in a car accident will likely leave you with expenses that you are not prepared to take on. Most car accidents create additional expenses through damage or injuries, and there are other possible expenses. Since side-impact collisions can do more damage to vehicles, the costs of -recovering from those accidents tend to be high. Common causes of a side-impact collision accident include:
- Emergency medical expenses: You will likely go to the emergency room directly after an accident. This will help determine if you have serious injuries and identify the medical treatment that you need. Emergency medical services, such as taking an ambulance to the hospital or going to the emergency room, can be expensive. Your insurance coverage might help with this, but it also might not cover all of your expenses.
- Property damage: Your car and any other property damaged in the accident will incur costs to have them repaired or replaced. While many people put a lot of effort into getting their vehicle repaired, it is possible that other property in the vehicle was severely damaged. Many accidents destroy cellphones, wallets, laptops, and other objects inside the vehicle. All of these can be claimed in a lawsuit.
- Ongoing medical costs: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly $75 billion are spent every year on medical costs related to car accidents. If you are hurt in an accident, you will likely need ongoing medical care to fully recover. Many serious injuries require services such as physical therapy for victims to make a full recovery. Long-term medical costs can be expensive to maintain.
- Lost wages: Depending on the damage to your vehicle and the severity of your injuries, you may be out of work for an extended period. In some cases, this will limit your monthly earnings and make it difficult to afford your normal bills. In other cases, it could threaten your ability to keep your job. Any wages you lost from being out of work because of the accident can be claimed in a lawsuit.
- Insurance premiums: Depending on what insurance company and insurance policy you have, having an accident can increase your premiums. If this is the case, you might be able to receive payment to deal with the increased costs.
There are other costs associated with side-impact collisions that are not covered on this list. While it might be tempting to try to save money by avoiding some of the common costs, many of these costs are for services and resources that you need to recover. It is more important that you get what you need to make a full recovery than it is to reduce your costs by skipping out on care. If you can sue the person who caused your accident and recover compensation, then that could help you afford accident-related expenses.
The key to claiming something in a lawsuit is having the proper documentation for it. For example, you will need to prove that your medical expenses are the result of the accident and not a pre-existing cause. Fortunately, medical records, police reports, billing statements, and other documentation of this kind can make it easier to prove your expenses.
If you or a loved one is interested in taking legal action to hold the person responsible for your San Francisco side-impact collision case, give Ben Crump Law, PLLC, a call today to discuss the details of your case with a member of our team.
For a free legal consultation with a side-impact collisions lawyer serving San Francisco, call (844) 730-0233
Accepting a Settlement vs. Going to Trial
When lawsuits are filed, some people expect to go to trial to settle them. However, this is not the case with civil cases involving personal injury and property damage lawsuits. Many civil cases end in settlement agreements before they ever make it to trial.
While you do not need a San Francisco side-impact collisions lawyer to represent your case, hiring one can be beneficial in many ways, including when it is time to review a settlement offer should you receive one. If the other party offers you a settlement agreement, you can have your lawyer review it to make sure it is fair to you and adequately meets your compensation needs.
If the agreement does not offer enough compensation to cover your expenses, you can discuss your concerns with your attorney, who can move to renegotiate it with the party who offered it. If a fair settlement is unreachable, your attorney can then pursue compensation in court. Keep in mind that settlement negotiations can take time, even months. If negotiations are still going on as the statute of limitations deadline nears, which is two years in California, according to CCP § 335.1, you can have your lawyer file your lawsuit and continue from there. A lawsuit can still be filed during the negotiation period, and negotiation talks can continue after it is filed. However, once the statute of limitations expires, you likely will lose your right to seek compensation, so time is important.
San Francisco Side-Impact Collisions Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
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Protecting yourself from the long-term effects of a side-impact collision may take some time and additional resources that you may not have. This is one of the reasons why you might want to consider partnering with a San Francisco side-impact collisions lawyer on your case. You will gain legal know-how and have the resources to build a solid case.
Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC, at (844) 730-0233, today to discuss your case in a free consultation. Our team works on contingency, so we get paid only if we win your case.
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