What is my car accident injury claim really worth? What types of compensation am I entitled to?
Car accidents can be devastating. Victims of serious injury can quickly rack up enormous medical expenses and lost wages. Recovery from the physical and emotional trauma following a serious car accident is often accompanied by a concern of what types of compensation the victim is entitled to. First and foremost, never fall into the trap of attempting to 'work things out' with a negligent driver's insurance carrier. The fact of the matter is that insurance companies are profit-driven corporations. They
never have your best interests at heart.
A Missouri injury lawyer can file a personal injury claim with the negligent driver's insurance carrier on behalf of the injury victim. If a death is involved, a lawyer can file a Missouri Wrongful Death Claim pursuant to Mo. Rev. Stat. 537.080 on behalf of the surviving family members. Forms of compensation in a serious injury claim are much different than a death claim. Victims of serious injury have a legal right to be placed "back into the same position they were prior to the incident." To enforce this principle, the courts allow victims to recover money for past medical bills, future medical bills, past and future lost wages, pain & suffering, and other intangible damages. Unfortunately, insurance companies will fight a hard battle to minimize the amount of money they are forced to pay by the courts.
Pain and suffering is a form of compensation that many injury victims struggle to understand. Missouri law requires a negligent defendant to compensate for the pain and mental anguish caused following a serious car accident. A claim for pain and suffering based upon personal injuries varies upon the severity and permanency of the injury sustained by the victim. Insurance claims adjusters will do their best to convince car accident victims that pain and suffering is a minor part of any injury claim. Don't be victimized twice. Tell the insurance adjuster that your attorney will be contacting them soon to discuss the "real value" of the accident claim!