
There are various factors that will determine the amount of compensation you can recover after a car accident, but the entire legal process can be both confusing and daunting to deal with. Having a competent and experienced car accident lawyer in San Antonio on your side can make it easier to understand various key aspects of the process, while also helping to ensure you get the maximum possible compensation for your pain and suffering.
Factors Considered in Determining Compensation
Within the United States, compensation can vary greatly depending on a wide range of specific circumstances surrounding your car accident, though the CDC estimates that nearly $55 billion per year is incurred from medical costs and lost wages after car accidents. Visit this page to see how an attorney can tailor a claim to your specific needs that will get you fair compensation for medical coverage or lost wage reimbursement.
Pain and Suffering
This factor will include physical pain, mental anguish, and ongoing emotional distress that were directly caused by the car accident you were involved in. An attorney and other legal representation will consider both the immediate damage and the long-term effects, such as depression, anxiety, chronic pain, or permanent disability to help determine a claim's fair compensation amount.
Severity of Injuries
An attorney will work with you and medical professionals to determine the severity of injuries you sustained during the accident. Severe injuries that require more extensive medical treatments or that result in long-term disabilities will normally come with higher compensation results. Between the years of 2015 and 2020, most injury claims received less than $10,000 in compensation, though dozens of specific factors will need to be considered.
Loss of Income
An injury that prevents you from returning to work in a timely fashion, or keeps you out permanently and therefore leads to a loss of income, can have an impact on the overall compensation amounts as well. A car accident lawyer in San Antonio or other surrounding areas will consider your overall earning capacity and how badly it was affected as a direct result of the injuries you sustained in the accident.
Understanding Medical Documentation in Calculating Damages
Medical records are an extremely important document to have on hand when seeking financial compensation for pain and suffering after a car accident. Being written by trained medical professionals, these records provide an undisputable link between the accident itself and the injuries that resulted from it, whether they were physical or psychological.
The biggest benefit of having detailed medical documentation is that it can show the full range of injuries that were caused, treatments or surgeries that were performed, medications that were required, and ongoing physical therapy that may be needed. It also puts a realistic financial figure on additional costs that may be needed, such as mobility aids, upcoming surgeries, or ongoing medications.
The Overall Role of a Car Accident Lawyer in San Antonio
Attorneys play a multifaceted role in a car accident case, and their legal expertise is vital for not only navigating the confusing world of legal terminology, but also for maximizing the compensation outcome you can potentially receive.
Legal Knowledge and Experience
One of the biggest reasons to have an attorney on your side is for their extensive legal knowledge and experience when it comes to car accidents and determining damages. Attorneys will have years of training and can stay up to date on laws that sometimes change each year, to provide you with accurate guidance throughout the complexities of the legal system.
Negotiation with Insurance Companies
Attorneys are experienced in handling the negotiation process between insurance companies on your behalf. It's not uncommon for insurance adjusters to attempt to minimize the payments they are required to provide, but a good attorney on your side can effectively reach a fair compensation agreement.
Trial Representation
If mutual agreements cannot be made independently between both sides of the claim, an attorney will represent you in court. They will not only present all the relevant evidence on your behalf, but will also make valid arguments and advocate for the best outcome.
Legal Limits and Caps on Damages
Sometimes, there may be statutory restrictions or limits placed on damages, which can directly impact the amount of compensation you receive. It's vital to have an attorney who understands the specific legal limits that may apply to your case and how they could alter your compensation to make it more favorable.
From determining the severity of your injuries after an accident, to advocating for you in the court of law, a car accident lawyer plays a significant role throughout the entire legal compensation process. Their guidance, negotiation skills, and in-depth understanding of the legal system is invaluable when it comes to reaching a fair compensation agreement for your pain and suffering after an accident.