What Steps To Take After A Car Accident?

The first thing you should do is see a medical professional, even if you do not believe you were injured. It is not uncommon for a car accident victim not to realize they have been injured right away due to delayed symptoms. A doctor can examine you and determine if you have been injured, what the extent of those injuries are, and what type of treatment you should have.

Once you have seen a doctor, the next step you should take is to contact a Peoria, AZ car accident lawyer. Do not speak to any auto liability insurance company adjuster – either your company or the at-fault driver’s company – until you have at least consulted with a lawyer. Insurance companies are notorious for trying to minimize the amount in damages they pay to a victim or they try to deny the claim completely.

What type of damages will I be entitled to in my car accident claim?

The types and amount of your damages will depend on the extent of your injuries and the circumstances of the accident you were injured in. You could be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages, including:

• Medical bills. This includes emergency room treatment, hospitalizations, surgeries, doctor visits, rehabilitation, physical therapy, occupational therapy, mental health therapy, medications, and medical devices. You may even be entitled to reimbursement for mileage and travel expenses getting back and forth for medical treatments
• Lost wages. This includes not only the income and benefits you are losing if you are unable to work while you recover, but also any loss of future income due to any impact your injuries has on your earning capacity, such as being left permanent disabled and not being able to return to the occupation you had before the accident.
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disability
• Scarring
• Disfigurement
• Emotional trauma
• Loss of life enjoyment

In some cases, you may even be entitled to punitive damages. Punitive damages are meant to punish the at-fault driver if their behavior that caused the accident was especially egregious, as well as to send a message to society that this behavior is not tolerated. One of the most common types of car accidents where punitive damages are often awarded are drunk driving crashes. The at-fault driver’s decision to drink and get behind the wheel of a vehicle is not only illegal, but the act is a breach of the duty of care every driver owes to other motorists they share the roads with.

Call Our Law Firm Today

If you have been injured in a car accident, contact Saavedra Law Firm, PLC to schedule a free consultation with a Peoria, AZ car accident lawyer and find out what financial compensation you may be entitled to.