14 Common Misconceptions Concerning Motor Vehicle Law

Motor Vehicle Compensation Motor vehicles include trucks, cars, buses, motorcycles, and even airplanes. Motor vehicles include automobiles, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and even aircrafts. Two studies showed that interacting and seeking compensation for an accident in a motor vehicle while dealing with insurance companies was associated with increased levels of anxiety. Further research is required to understand the reasons for this. Damages The value of your claim for compensation from a motor vehicle accident is contingent on the specific expenses and losses you have incurred. A personal injury lawyer can help you determine the fair compensation for your particular situation. Damages are commonly categorized as “special” and “general.” The latter are expenses that can be calculated, like medical bills or car repairs. General damages are more difficult to calculate, and include non-economic factors such as suffering and pain. If your injuries are severe enough to be classified under New York law as a serious injury, you may be entitled additional compensation above and above what an insurance company will provide. If you suffer from a permanent disability that seriously affects your quality of life it is possible that you are entitled to compensation for loss of consortium and other non-economic damages. You could also be able to recover the cost of taxis, public transportation or ridesharing services in the event that you could not drive after your accident. You can also recover the expense of maintaining your home and yard while unable to perform these tasks due to your injuries. You might also be able to recover the loss of resale value for your damaged car. In some cases, a defendant may be ordered to pay punitive damage if it is proven that they deliberately caused the accident. These damages are designed to punish the guilty for recklessness or negligence. Medical bills The victims of motor vehicle accidents often face high medical bills as a result of their injuries. Some car insurance policies include medical payment coverage, commonly referred to as med-pay. It can help with the expenses. In most cases this coverage is provided regardless of who was at fault for the crash. It is important to keep in mind that medical insurance isn't intended to be a replacement for health insurance. In fact, the victim must always file a claim with his or her own health insurance before submitting a claim to the at-fault driver's insurance company. It is also possible to get compensation for expenses like transportation costs to and from medical appointments. To ensure that they get a fair compensation, victims must be meticulous in logging and saving receipts. The No-Fault insurance may also pay victims for lost wages, if they cannot work because of injuries. However, the maximum amount that can be collected is $2,000 per month, for no more than three years. The No-Fault company can also be required by law to offset any Disability, Workers' Compensation, or Social Security benefits received by the person who was injured. Despite the financial assistance that may be available, it can take a few months, and sometimes years, for a satisfactory settlement to be reached. In the meantime medical debt collection firms could be calling, and unpaid bills can cause serious damage to a person's credit rating. To avoid this, the victim should establish an attorney-client relationship with a law firm that offers representation in auto accident cases. Lost wages You may find yourself facing financial difficulties following an accident in the car. Medical bills, credit card debt, and loan payments may accumulate while you are unable to work. Losing income can also cause stress in your family. An experienced lawyer for car accidents can assist you in recovering lost earnings as part of your compensation payout. To prove motor vehicle accident lawyer ann arbor of wages, you'll require documentation that proves your hourly or wage and the number of days missed due to injuries. This can include the letter from your employer or pay stubs as well as bank statements, tax returns, and many more. If you are self-employed or are paid on commission the proof of your income may be more difficult. An experienced attorney for car accidents will help you gather all the evidence needed to support your claim. You are only able to recover your lost wages as part of your car accident claim. You cannot recuperate your lost wages from worker's comp or disability insurance since this would be a double recovery. The insurer with no fault will take you to a doctor they hire to examine you and determine whether, in the physician's opinion, your injuries hinder you from working. This is referred to as an independent medical examination (IME) and it is important to keep in mind that the doctor who performs your IME is biased towards the insurance company. Suffering and pain In contrast to medical bills and lost wages, it's hard to quantify the suffering and pain caused by a motor vehicle crash. The emotional trauma triggered by an accident could be more damaging than physical injuries. A person with PTSD might suffer from anxiety or insomnia that may make it difficult to sleep well, or they may be unable drive due to fear of a crash in the future. An attorney can calculate the total amount of non-economic damages and collaborate with a juror to determine how much to award for pain and suffering. The degree of your injuries as well as their impact on your daily life could significantly impact the amount therefore it might be worth keeping a journal to keep track of how the injury affects you, or having family members or friends make written statements about your condition. Some states have a cap on the amount of compensation granted for pain and loss. New York does not, but victims are only allowed to file a lawsuit and request these damages for serious injuries, not just minor ones. It is crucial to speak with an Manhattan car accident lawyer to learn the exact cost of your injuries and how to prove that you are entitled to fair compensation for both your economic and non-economic losses.