At some point in our lives, most of us will get into some sort of car accident. Thankfully, most of these are minor, causing just a few bumps and bruises. But, every now and then, we may get into a crash that is more serious. You could spend some time in the hospital. You may end up permanently disabled. If this happens, you need to file a Charlotte car accident claim against the other driver.
One of the first questions you may have following your car accident is how you can hold the other driver responsible. The first thing you’ll need to do is file an insurance claim. If your claim is paid – great. You’ll get your check-in a week or two. But if your claim is denied, you’ll have no choice but to file a lawsuit. If this is the case, you’ll need to retain an experienced car accident lawyer in Charlotte.
Your lawyer will be able to give you an idea of what your case is worth. You just have to be realistic. You can only get damages for injuries you actually suffered. Just getting into a car crash in Charlotte isn’t enough to warrant damages. Your Charlotte car accident attorney will have to prove you suffered actual damages.
Generally speaking, your attorney is going to try to make you whole. You shouldn’t be left holding the bag if the crash wasn’t your fault. So, you shouldn’t have to pay co-pays or prescription costs. You shouldn’t have to cover the repairs to your car by yourself. If the defendant caused the accident, they should have to reimburse you for these things.
Your Car Accident Lawyer in Charlotte Must Prove Your Damages
Most people think their car accident case is worth a lot more than it really is. We watch too much television. We envision a jury ordering the defendant to pay us millions of dollars at trial. In real life, very few cases actually go to trial. And even fewer ever result in these kinds of damages. The point of a car accident lawsuit is to make you whole. It’s not to make you rich. You can only recover damages that you’ve actually suffered.
You won’t get any money until your Charlotte accident lawyer proves the other driver was responsible for your crash. They also need to demonstrate that you have a valid Charlotte car accident claim for injuries sustained. If your case is minor or really serious, you may be entitled to the following types of damages:
- Medical Bills –Most people realize that you’re entitled to compensation for your medical bills. But you’re eligible to claim future medical care. Let’s say your doctor knows you’re going to need a second or third surgery, you can demand compensation for this.
- Lost Wages – It’s not enough to miss a few days from work. In order to really collect lost wages, you have to show that you missed a significant amount of time from work. This could be anywhere from a few weeks to a year.
- Property Damage – Chances are, your car was damaged or destroyed in the crash, the defendant should have to pay. Just keep in mind – if your insurance company already covered these expenses, they’ll be the ones to get the reimbursement.
- Pain and Suffering – Car accident victims usually suffer a lot of pain. And, if the crash is really bad, you may also suffer mental anguish. Pain and suffering is intended to compensate you for this. In fact, some clients get most of their damages in the form of pain and suffering.
One thing you have to keep in mind is that your lawyer isn’t a miracle worker. It’s not their job to make you rich. All they can do is try to make you whole.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney in Charlotte Today
If you or your family members have been involved in a car accident, you need to call our office. Let one of our skilled car accident lawyers in Charlotte, NC review your case and get you the compensation you deserve. The defendant will have lawyers working for them and you should too.
Call our office today and schedule your initial consultation. It’s absolutely free and you don’t pay a dime until your case is resolved. If you try to handle things on your own, the insurance company may try to take advantage of you. Don’t let that happen. Let a skilled accident lawyer see you through every step of the way.
