What is a settlement for a car accident claim?
What Can I Expect From an Illinois Car Settlement for an accident?
A car accident can turn a good day miserable. Even minor accidents can result in hours of work disruptions, interrupted routines and even a decline in the ability to handle daily tasks. It also comes with the added pressure of trying to get things back to normal. You might be wondering what kind of settlement you could receive from your Illinois car accident settlement. Let's take a closer look.
What is the best method to determine fault in an auto accident?
In the event of a car accident the determination of who's at fault is usually decided by the insurance companies involved, using information from the accident itself to make that determination. In order to assist them in making an evaluation, the insurance company will use details from the police report or witness statements. They may also use evidence of the incident and will send an assessor out to assess the damaged vehicle and take pictures for a detailed report.
It can be difficult to determine the cause of a car crash. In many cases, the blame will not be assigned to only one individual. A lot of cases assign blame in proportions. One person could be held 30% responsible and the other 70%.
In states that have modified comparative negligence -- which includes Illinois -- you are not entitled to damages if you are found to be 51% or more responsible for the incident.
What is a settlement?
In the beginning, it's important to make sure you are aware of "settlement" and what it means in legal terms. If you've suffered the consequences of another's negligence or mistake and you are facing the possibility of being liable for damages. Most often, these losses become the primary focus of an action in court that aims to recover the loss from the party who caused the damages.
When a deal is made on the amount that the responsible party has to pay, that amount is called the settlement.
The amount is usually the result of discussions between the plaintiff and defendant. This is the primary function of a lawyer in an auto accident. If you've been the victim of an auto accident the lawyer will draw on his expertise and experience to negotiate the best settlement possible for you.
What damages are under consideration?
There are many different types of damage that could be sustained from an accident.
Damages to the vehicle
The most direct expenses that the victim must cover for the most obvious damage in a car accident are caused by the collision. They are the vehicle damage which need to be fixed. If it is a vehicle that is damaged beyond repair, damage could include the cost of a replacement vehicle.
Medical Expenses
A settlement may also include medical expenses. The costs that the plaintiff had to pay for an ambulance ride, urgent medical treatment in a hospital following the accident, or continuing treatment such as physical therapy or follow-up tests and any prescription medications prescribed because of injuries resulting from the accident may be covered in an agreement.
Lost Wages
Plaintiffs may also be entitled to compensation for lost wages. It is possible to receive compensation for lost wages in the event that you were required to take time off work for medical treatment or car repairs. Also, you may be eligible for compensation for the loss of wages should you be injured in an accident , or if you miss work as you recover.
Pain and Suffering
Calculating the cost of suffering and pain is more difficult. Although the person who was injured has the right to payment for the physical as well as mental toll of being the victim of a car accident, it can be much more difficult to get the right amount of money for these factors. This is why the presence of an experienced and skilled attorney can be especially important.
What is the highest settlement amount?
The amount of an Illinois car accident settlement will depend on the particulars of each case. The most common rule is to anticipate three times the amount of medical bills resulting from the incident. This is not an exact measurement of settlement, as cases could be settled for less or more.
The amount to be settled will be determined by the particular circumstances and the extent of amount of the damage.
An experienced personal injury lawyer Belleville IL will help those injured in car accidents to negotiate the settlement. This will ensure that the person who was injured can return to their lives as smoothly and swiftly as is possible.
Address: 1803 N Belt W, Belleville, IL 62226
Phone: (618) 408-1290