Motor Vehicle Injuries

If you suffered motor vehicle injuries following an accident, you need to understand what steps you need to take to best protect your rights and interests. This includes understanding what those rights are in the first place as well as taking a proactive stance at retaining auto accident attorneys.

Compensation for Motor Vehicle Injuries

Justice in a car accident case centers on ensuring that you obtain appropriate compensation for your injuries, damages, and losses. The reality is that compensation awarded in a car accident case depends on the specific facts of the accident itself and the nature of your injuries. Auto accident attorneys typically fight to obtain compensation for clients like you that include:

• Medical Expense
• Pain and Suffering
• Mental Anguish and Emotional Distress
• Permanent Disability
• Permanent Disfigurement
• Property Damage
• Lost Income

Types of Motor Vehicle Accident Cases

• Auto Accident
• Trucking Accident
• Motorcycle Accident
• Bicycle Accident
• Big Rig Accident (Class 7 & 8 vehicle)

Keep in mind that you are likely to continue to suffer losses into the future following a car accident. For example, you very well may require medical care and treatment for an indefinite period of time. This may include physical therapy and occupational therapy. In addition, you may endure pain indefinitely. You may not be able to return to work anytime soon. These all represent types of future losses for which you may be entitled to financial compensation. You may also be entitled to punitive or exemplary damages in your case. Punitive damages are awarded in car accident lawsuits in which the conduct of the party causing a collision is deemed particularly reckless. Punitive damages serve two primary purposes. First, punitive damages serve to provide additional compensation to you. Second, punitive damages are also designed to punish the party that caused an accident for particularly egregious conduct.

Statute of Limitations

One of the significant reasons it is absolutely imperative for you to seek legal counsel in a timely manner is because of specific deadlines associated with pursuing a claim with an insurance company and with filing a lawsuit. There are a variety of deadlines. All states have laws on their books called the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations establishes a specific time period in which you must file a lawsuit in personal injury case, including one involving a car accident. If you miss that deadline, you can end up permanently precluded from pursuing a lawsuit in your case. This can happen even if your overall losses in a particular case are significant.

Attorney Fees in a Car Accident Case

As a general rule, auto accident attorneys utilize what is known as a contingency fee contract. Pursuant to this type of agreement, an injured person like you does not pay a fee for legal services until a favorable settlement or judgment is obtained on your behalf. The fee in an automobile accident case is a percentage of any settlement or judgment. In addition, any reasonable costs associated with the case are also deducted from any settlement or judgment in your case. An agreement regarding attorney fees is made at the start of the representation. The fee agreement is placed into written form to make sure both the attorney and client have a clear idea of that agreement.

Initial Consultation with Legal Counsel

The first step in retaining legal counsel is scheduling an initial consultation. An initial consultation provides you the opportunity to obtain an evaluation of your case by an experienced car accident lawyer. You also have the chance to ask questions about your case. Typically, a car accident lawyer charges no fee for an initial consultation with you about your case.

If your loved one sustained an injury resulting in a wrongful death, contact us.