7 September 2022
 Categories: Law, Blog

Auto accidents are incredibly common, and they can result in severe injuries that last a long time. If you have never been in a car accident before, you may not know what to expect. If you would like to know more, keep reading.

Who Pays for the Accident?

In most cases, the person who caused the accident is responsible for the settlement. Luckily, for most people, insurance kicks in to cover the cost of the settlement. However, if you live in a no-fault state, you'll file with your own insurance carrier, regardless of who caused the accident. You will need to have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage.

You'll also need to determine if your state follows comparative or contributory rules. Most states follow comparative laws. In these states, you can sue even if you were partially responsible. However, you cannot sue if you are mostly responsible. In contributory states, you can't file a claim if you were partially responsible.

How Much Money Can You Receive?

The amount of money you can receive largely depends on your injuries. If you have minor injuries and miss no work, you'll have a smaller settlement. You may also get money for pain and suffering. Pain and suffering includes mental and physical damages like:

• Nerve damage
• Soft tissue damage
• Spinal injury
• Whiplash
• Depression
• Anxiety
• PTSD
• Anger
• Scars

You'll need to work closely with your doctor to create a treatment plan. Make sure to follow the treatment plan to mitigate your injuries. If you don't, the court may reduce your settlement or reject your case.

Should You Contact an Accident Attorney?

If you received any injuries from the accident, contact an attorney. The insurance carrier is aggressive about getting you to accept a fast, low settlement. However, your attorney can negotiate a better settlement based on past cases and your injuries.

Your attorney can also guide you during the process, so you avoid making mistakes that can impact your case, such as posting about the accident on social media. They'll also help craft clear, concise answers if you must go to court. Finally, they will collect all the relative information for the case, including getting witness statements and submitting all your medical records.

Many Americans get into car accidents every day. While some people experience little to no injuries, some can develop long-term chronic conditions. If you would like to know more, contact a local firm like Jones, Boykin & Associates, P.C.