Car Accident Attorney: Damaged Property And Lost Wages
Car accidents can create untold collateral damage. A car accident lawyer can help you recover the resources you need to restore your damaged property and recover your lost wages.
Here are some steps to take when you hire a car accident attorney to represent you.
An Itemized Approach
To expedite the claim process, many auto accident victims settle for lump sums to cover damage. Even though one big payout can be tempting, you might not be getting the true value of everything you lost in the accident.
- Car: Most auto accident claims focus on repairing the vehicle(s) involved in the accident. When you negotiate a settlement for your vehicle, it's important to consider the market value of your car and any improvements you might have made to the vehicle. For instance, if you added a custom sound system or a set of fancy rims, your auto accident lawyer can help you recoup the money you invested in your vehicle. To help your auto accident attorney, it's important to provide receipts of every cent you've spent on your vehicle. If you can locate the receipts, bank statements and credit card bills can sometimes be used to substantiate the improvements you made to the vehicle.
- Stuff: Your cars can be used to carry valuable personal property. For instance, if your cell phone, laptop, or other tech gadget was damaged during the crash, your auto accident can seek the funds you need to fix or replace these items. Similar to the advice above, gathering your receipts and credit card statements can help your auto accident attorney when they negotiate with auto insurance providers.
Leverage Your Earning Power
An auto accident can drastically impact your earning power. From doctor's appointments to physical therapy sessions to time spent recovering from your injuries, a single car accident can diminish your ability to work.
- History: Your car accident attorney can use the money earned in the years, months, and weeks before the accident to show the true economic impact of the event. Providing your car accident attorney with your financial records can help them when they negotiate for lost wages with the other individual(s) involved in the crash.
- Ancillary: If the accident caused ancillary expenses, your car accident attorney can help you recoup these losses. For instance, if the accident caused extra daycare expenses, forced you to cancel a vacation, or diminished your ability to enjoy your favorite hobby, your car accident attorney can fight to have these costs covered.
For more information, contact a company like Wood Law Group, PLLC.