How Car Accident Settlements Work and What To Do If You Get One

If you are the victim of a car accident, one of the first things you should do is contact an experienced accident attorney. A lawyer can make sure that you get the compensation you deserve to repair your vehicle and address any medical expenses. 

Common Car Accident Cases

Car accidents happen every day. In 2019, there were 125,267 reportable traffic crashes in Pennsylvania according to PennDot. 

That equates to:

• 343 reportable traffic crashes occurred per day (about 14 crashes every hour).
• 3 persons were fatally injured in reportable traffic crashes per day (one fatality every 8 hours). 
• 209 persons were injured in reportable crashes each day (about 9 injuries every hour).

Vehicle accidents are not one-size-fits-all and if you are involved in an accident, especially one that led to an injury or death, you need to make sure you are being represented by an attorney with experience in your specific type of vehicle accident. Some types of vehicle accidents include:

• Distracted Driving
• Bicycle Accidents 
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Truck accidents
• Drunk Driving Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents

Car Accident Settlement Payments

Car accident settlements can range based on the extent of the injury or circumstances surrounding the accident. 

This can also depend on the insurance coverage that you and the driver at fault have. The at-fault insurance company will investigate the claim to determine issues like coverage and liability. When the time comes, the at-fault insurance company will assess your claim and may offer money to resolve your case. It is important to have an attorney for this process because unrepresented individuals are open to be taken advantage of by the insurance companies. Unrepresented individuals will often get low or unreasonable offers to resolve their claims. An experienced attorney will ensure that the claim is valued fairly and appropriately to maximize your recovery.

What to Do with Your Car Accident Settlement

If you are injured in a car accident and an attorney helps you successfully bring a claim forward, you may receive a settlement. 

Settlements may cover things like:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Vehicle damage
• Personal property damage

The settlement you receive should be used to settle these debts or reimburse you for expenses paid for these things. The settlement is generally higher for more severe or permanent injuries. 

Choosing the Right Lawyer for a Car Accident

If you’ve been in a car accident, you should consult with an experienced attorney immediately. If you live in the Lancaster County area, the lawyers at Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino Injury Law Firm, P.C. can work with you to get the settlement you deserve.