Auto accidents are one of the leading causes of death and injury in Texas, with even small towns being no exception. Even in Pleasanton, the likelihood of being involved in a car accident is high. If you or a loved one has found yourself involved in a Pleasanton auto accident, you may be faced with more than just a repair bill for your vehicle.
The good news is that victims have options, as many learn the first time they reach out to a lawyer for assistance in filing an accident injury claim. For Pleasanton drivers seeking financial relief, even those involved in car accidents with no other party at-fault, may be able to receive compensation for lost wages, medical bills, and other related expenses. A common concern our attorneys hear from clients here at Carabin Shaw regularly is, “what compensation can be awarded for my Pleasanton auto accident?”
What Can You Expect?While the compensation available to your case is a question that we can walk through more specifically in a one-on-one with our attorneys, there is some basic information that can be helpful.
Much of this compensation comes through insurance, so it is important to understand the different types of car insurance that pertain to this. If there is a negligent driver, their bodily injury liability coverage should cover any injuries you or your loved one sustained so long as the accident was the other driver’s fault. The victim’s own liability policy will not cover this, however. When there appears to be no-fault (or it is deemed the fault of you or a loved one), Personal injury Protection (PIP) will be the relevant path to take in paying expenses (up to the policy’s limits). This is also true with Medical payments coverage, except that it will only cover medical expenses. In the event that a driver possessed no insurance, had a small limit that didn’t meet your expenses, or “hit and ran” you or your loved one, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage will cover your bodily injury expenses.
Communication is KeyIt is important that you or your loved one be able to communicate with your insurance company in a clear way that will indicate fault and make it clear if negligence has occurred. An attorney can help you do this, especially one who is familiar with negligence. The type of negligence that might have occured can alter the answer to “What compensation can be awarded for my Pleasanton Auto Accident?” Contact a lawyer right away so that they can assist you in navigating this question.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident in Pleasanton, there are a number of steps you will need to do before any compensation can be awarded. Failure to do these steps can put your compensation at risk, as would waiting to long to do them. Filing a police report is necessary, with the report being clear and concise in establishing what happened. It is crucial that this step be not just done, but done well. It is advisable to seek the help of someone with the legal expertise you need to help you with this step (expertise that Carabin Shaw has). In addition to filing a police report, citations and charges (especially DUI/DWI charges) must be filed. Statements should be recorded, without indications of blame or the making of promises. Likewise, witness testimony should be found and photographs of the accident taken. Again, a Pleasanton auto accident lawyer is advisable to contact.
Regardless of how you or a loved one may have felt after the accident, it is advisable that medical attention be sought as soon as possible. Work with your physician or an ER doctor in ascertaining if you have received any injuries related to the accident. Likewise, make sure that no pre-existing conditions will be worsened as a result of the accident. Having this information can drastically alter the answer to the question of, “What compensation can be awarded for my Pleasanton Auto Accident?”
Other FactorsDepending on how well these steps were executed, you may be eligible for different types of damages. The amount of damages you receive depends on both the direct and indirect costs the accident may have resulted in. Compensatory damages are the most common form of damages awarded to those involved in Pleasanton car accidents, in the experience of our attorneys here at Carabin Shaw. These damages reflect specific valued amounts, such as a loss of earning capacity, lost wages, medical costs, and property loss.
You or a loved one may also be eligible for damages that are less easily calculated, which include pain and suffering, loss of an extremity, loss of consortium, and emotional distress. Often these damages are combined with compensatory damages. Despite the negative media portrayal of such damages, they are no laughing matter and can and should be taken seriously. You or a loved one may also be eligible for punitive damages, should it be clear that the defendant was especially negligent when causing the defendant. These are what they sound like, damages intended to punish the defendant for their negligence.
If you or a loved one where involved in auto accident, call our local Pleasanton office to schedule a free consultation today at 830.569.7050.