A car accident can leave victims and their families reeling as they struggle to deal with injuries, medical care, the potential loss of a vehicle, missed time at work, and more. All of these issues are meant to be addressed by the insurance company through car accident claims, but the truth is that insurers are more focused on settling claims inexpensively and quickly than on getting victims the compensation they deserve. In fact, the claims process following motor vehicle accidents is designed by insurers to protect their financial interests while avoiding liability or future legal issues, typically without addressing the real impacts that a victim endures.
Working with St. Cloud car accident attorneys is one of the best ways to fight for the compensation you deserve after an auto accident, all while you are able to stay focused on getting the care you need to recover from your personal injury and getting your life back on track. However, during this difficult time, car accident victims may find themselves too overwhelmed to reach out to Minnesota law firms, and may choose to file an insurance claim on their own.
Contact 1-800-Injured to Connect With an Auto Accident Attorney Today
1-800-Injured is a Lawyer & Medical Directory that helps car accident victims connect with experienced car accident lawyers in their area for a free consultation about their situation. This consultation comes with zero obligation to work with the firm, but is a great opportunity to learn about how a lawyer can help recover compensation through a personal injury claim, whether against the victim’s own insurance company, the insurer representing the at-fault driver, directly against the other driver, or a third party.
The sooner you are working with an attorney, the sooner you can have clarity about your rights and options following a Saint Cloud car crash, while remaining focused on your personal needs. Contact us right away, and read more below about car accident claims to get a better idea of what to expect.
Why Work With an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer?
After suffering serious injuries in a car accident, many victims believe that the best path forward is to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company and let the adjuster guide them through the process; the truth, though, is that the insurer is not looking out for a victim’s best interests, and will resort to sneaky or aggressive tactics in order to settle the case quickly and cheaply.
When working with a St. Cloud auto accident lawyer, a victim can focus on their recovery without the added stress of handling their own insurance claim, and can take comfort in knowing that a dedicated professional is fighting to recover all of the compensation they rightfully deserve. From handling simple communications to calculating and then negotiating a fair settlement, an attorney will be able to take on the entirety of the legal process, and improve chances of getting the compensation the victim deserves.
When a car accident attorney initiates a claim, the insurance company representing the at-fault driver knows that they are in for a fight, and they won’t be able to use misleading tactics in order to manipulate a claimant into a low settlement. Your attorney will be able to provide you updates about your case and help translate complicated legal documents and concepts into plain English so you understand where things are headed.
Frequently Asked Questions About St. Cloud Car Accidents
The following are just a few of the many different questions that car accident victims have about their auto accident cases and legal options. Each answer below is meant to give a general sense of how auto accidents are handled under personal injury law, but your case is unique, and the answers a car accident lawyer will provide you with after hearing about the details of your case will also be unique. The following are not meant to be taken as legal advice. Contact 1-800-Injured right away to get specific advice from a proven auto accident lawyer in Saint Cloud, Minnesota as soon as possible.
How much is my St. Cloud car accident case worth?
There is no simple answer to this question, because each St. Cloud auto accident claim has a number of unique factors that attorneys will consider when reaching a final dollar amount. Your damages will typically include two categories of damages, although in some instances victims are also awarded punitive damages:
Economic Damages
Economic damages apply to every impact that has a dollar value, including things like medical expenses, physical therapy costs, lost wages, disabilities, the cost of personal property damage, as well as goods, services, or devices meant to help the victim with tasks they could handle on their own before the car crash. Future lost wages and medical expenses are also factored into these damages.
If you have suffered a serious injury that will lead to long-term lost income if you are unable to return to work, your lawyer will need to determine the impact of your life-changing injuries and seek compensation for these future losses.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are more difficult to calculate than economic damage because they seek compensation for impacts that go beyond those measurable in monetary terms. These include things like the pain and suffering you must endure as a result of your injuries, emotional issues like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety, loss of enjoyment of life, and more.
These damages are calculated using a number of methods including the multiplier method, which places these impacts on a scale between 1-5 and is multiplied against your total economic damages.
Am I owed punitive damages for my involvement in a St. Cloud auto accident?
Punitive damages are a third category of damages that are only awarded alongside a lawsuit verdict, and only in rare instances. These damages are meant to punish the at-fault driver or party for particularly dangerous or egregious behaviors. Your car accident attorneys will not include these possible damages in negotiations for compensation directly with the insurer, and if they believe that you are a candidate for these additional damages they may choose to take your case straight to the Minnesota courts instead of attempting to negotiate a settlement.
Keep in mind that even an experienced St. Cloud car accident attorney will not be able to give you a clear answer about results, especially during your free consultation. They will need to carry out an in-depth investigation in order to determine exactly what you are owed, and will then need to work with insurers to reach a fair settlement agreement unless they take your case to court.