Motor vehicle accidents are among the top three causes of preventable fatal and non-fatal injuries, but it is almost impossible to get around many areas without traveling in a car. Even when you drive carefully and defensively, you cannot always protect yourself from dangerous drivers on the road. They can cause an accident, leading to significant physical, financial, and emotional injuries. The person responsible for those injuries should be financially responsible as well.
At Scott Vicknair, a knowledgeable personal injury attorney could help you get the justice you deserve. A Gretna car accident lawyer could investigate the wreck and help you determine who is responsible. You can recover from another party as long as they share any responsibility for the accident; however, your recovery will be proportional to their responsibility. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to learn more.
Auto Insurance and Car Accident Claims
The first step in many car accident claims is to file a claim against the other driver’s insurance company. Unfortunately, the minimum liability coverage for drivers may not be enough to cover severe bodily injuries, property damage, or related financial or emotional damage. Insurers often offer lowball settlement offers, assuming they can pressure injured people to accept lower amounts because they need immediate access to money for medical bills and lost wages.
A Gretna car accident attorney could negotiate settlements with insurance companies and ensure a claim complies with all legal requirements. When they cannot secure a reasonable settlement offer, they could help an injured person file a lawsuit to pursue financial compensation.
Proving Fault in a Car Wreck
Establishing fault in a car wreck is essential. Per state law, an injured person can recover from someone else when that person has even one percent of the responsibility for the accident. Still, those cases rarely lead to significant compensation. To get the compensation that people need, an attorney must show the other party has a significant portion of the responsibility.
A car accident lawyer in Gretna could use evidence to demonstrate the other party was at fault. At a consultation, the lawyer asks about the accident, which gives them a good starting point for their investigation. They could look at police reports, examine any available photos of the accident scene, and talk to any witnesses. In addition to human witnesses, they may look for video cameras near the location of the wreck. They may also hire experts to reconstruct the accident, which can help prove fault.
Demonstrating Damages in a Car Accident
After the lawyer proves fault, they must show damages. In a car accident case, there are two main types of damages: economic and noneconomic. Economic damages repay people for financial losses and include things like medical bills, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and property damage.
Noneconomic damages repay people for nonfinancial losses like pain and suffering, which do not have a direct financial cost. Placing a monetary value on these nonmonetary losses is a way to compensate people for those injuries.
To prove damages, attorneys often need to use medical records and experts to show the full extent of a person’s injuries. While some injuries are evident, there can be tremendous disagreements about their monetary value. A fair settlement offer should include the cost of present and future medical bills, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and compensation for nonmonetary injuries.
Consult a Car Accident Attorney in Gretna
After an accident, you may feel overwhelmed. In addition to healing from physical injuries, you may be unable to work, struggling with emotional challenges, and dealing with substantial amounts of pain. You may not have the energy or expertise to handle your personal injury case and get the settlement you deserve.
Schedule a consultation with a Gretna car accident lawyer at Scott Vicknair. In a free, no-obligation consultation, they could let you know whether you have a good car accident claim. When you work with them, they will represent you on a contingency basis, meaning you do not pay attorney fees unless they get a settlement or win your lawsuit. Call today to find out more.
