Rear-end collisions can give rise to severe injuries and substantial property damage. Those involved in such unfortunate incidents often face mounting medical expenses and other bills that make it imperative to obtain fair compensation. Having an idea about how much your rear-end accident is worth is one way to ensure that you agree to a settlement offer you deserve.
There is no definite rule for determining a rear-end accident’s value because it will depend on the case’s particular facts. At best, you can make an estimate. One crucial factor that affects the compensation amount in collisions is the extent of injuries and other damages that victims suffer. Other important factors include insurance policy limits, the nature of the accident, and liability evaluation.
Seeking compensation is the usual course of action when you want at-fault parties to reimburse you for your medical costs, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Estimating Compensation
A common way to estimate the compensation you are entitled to collect is to look at the total cost of your car repairs and injuries. Assessing the cost of vehicle repairs generally includes checking the price of the parts that need replacing, the vehicle’s state at the time of the incident, its original value, and the depreciated amount.
Calculating your injury’s worth is more challenging because there are no fixed prices for different types of injuries. The effects of an injury on one person will not be the same for another.
If you retain a car accident lawyer, they might be able to explain more about how they evaluate the value of a claim after gathering pertinent information. In general, the more severe your injuries and damages, the higher the worth of your claim.
How Local Laws Can Impact Accident Claims
Settlement values also depend on whether the state you were injured in follows an at-fault or a no-fault system. If you are in a no-fault state, your auto insurance will cover injuries and damages you suffered due to the rear-end accident. Nevertheless, you may still file a lawsuit against the negligent driver if your losses exceed the amount of your insurance policy coverage, if state laws allow it.
On the other hand, financial accountability will fall on the negligent driver’s shoulders if you were injured in an at-fault state. Your liability insurance typically covers only those losses that other motorists suffer following your careless or reckless actions.
Police reports usually indicate who was at fault, although a lawyer can also investigate your case’s facts and determine who was responsible for the accident. Similar to collisions in no-fault states, there is also an option to bring legal action against the other driver if losses exceed insurance policy limits, provided that victims are eligible to do so.
Liability
In the aftermath of a rear-end accident, establishing who was at fault is critical in computing the claim’s value. Regardless of whether you are in a no-fault or an at-fault state, liability will play a major role when your insurer is deciding on how much to pay for damages and if you exhaust your car insurance policy limits. The other driver will pay out of pocket if you prove they are to blame for losses and suffering that your policy cannot cover.
Contributory and Comparative Negligence
States that recognize the legal concept of contributory negligence bar plaintiffs from recovering damages if their negligent actions somehow contributed to the accident, even if the defendant was more at fault. In contrast, states that favor the comparative negligence principle allow plaintiffs to recover damages despite being partly at fault for the accident and injuries.
However, the court will reduce the compensation you receive in proportion to your percentage of fault if your state follows comparative negligence laws. This means you will not take home 100 percent of your award if you were partially responsible for your injuries. In states that adhere to the modified comparative system, plaintiffs will not collect compensation if their share of fault exceeds 50 percent.
How Working with a Lawyer Can Affect a Case’s Value
Rear-end accident attorneys can utilize legal knowledge that will help handle even complicated injury claims. They will consider damages that you may never have considered on your own. Insurance companies usually do not pay out the full value of a settlement, and a lawyer can help you seek a settlement that fully covers your costs.
In other words, the worth of your rear-end accident can increase when you have the assistance of someone who understands the true value of your claim and is prepared to litigate your case if you cannot reach a reasonable settlement with other parties.
Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Today
Although there is no single answer for how much a rear-end accident is worth, speaking to a car accident lawyer can take the guesswork out of trying to figure out your claim’s value. Recovering after a collision can be costly, and you might benefit from the services of someone who can help determine the maximum compensation you deserve.
Call us today at (800) 223-5115 to inquire about your free case evaluation and determine your options in seeking compensation that you need to get back on your feet.