When you’re involved in an accident, your primary concern is for your health and wellbeing. However, any type of accident can have far-reaching consequences. If you require medical treatment for an injury, for example, you may be concerned about how you’ll pay for the escalating costs.
Sadly, medical debt can have a significant impact on your long-term wellbeing. In fact, medical-related costs are the primary cause of bankruptcies in America. If you’ve been injured due to an accident that wasn’t your fault, however, you may be able to access compensation for any expenses you’ve incurred, including your medical bills.
Who Caused Your Injuries?
To determine who is liable for your costs, it’s vital to identify who caused your injuries. If you were injured in a road traffic accident, for example, you’ll need to show that another road user was responsible for the collision if you want to make a claim against them. Alternatively, if you were hurt at work, you may need to prove that your employer was negligent, or consider making a workers’ compensation claim.
The issue of causation and liability can be complicated. The person or people responsible for injuries may not want to admit their liability or genuinely believe that they’re not at fault. If so, evidence will need to be collected so that you can prove they are responsible. This may include CCTV evidence of the incident, witness statements and expert reports.
What Happens if Liability is Disputed?
If you believe someone is responsible for your injuries but they dispute their liability, you can take civil action against them. By seeking advice from reputable personal injury lawyers, like Cline Jensen, PLLC., you can set out your claim effectively and increase your chances of successfully obtaining compensation. When you have legal representation, you’re free to focus on your recovery, rather than worrying about how to make a claim for compensation.
In some instances, disputed liability can result in a case going to trial. If so, a judge will hear the evidence presented by both sides and determine who is liable for the incident. However, there’s a good chance that your claim will be settled well before it reaches a courtroom. When your personal injury attorney negotiates on your behalf, for example, they may be able to secure a settlement that gives you an appropriate amount of compensation and resolves your claim quickly.
Can You Claim for More Than Medical Costs?
When you make a personal injury claim, you can certainly claim for more than your medical costs. Your pain and suffering, as well as any long-term consequences of your injuries, can also be included in your claim. In addition to this, if you’ve lost income or incurred other expenses, such as paying for help at home while you recover, this can be included too.
If you want to get a clearer idea of how much your claim could be worth, it’s always advisable to speak to a personal injury lawyer. With specialist knowledge and expertise, they can help you to determine if you have a claim and, if so, how much compensation you could receive.