Getting hurt in an accident can be painful, overwhelming, and damaging, physically, emotionally, and financially. Understanding how you can be compensated for your damages is important to protect yourself financially and otherwise. While many people think you have to go to court to recover compensation, you have several options after being involved in an accident. Read on and set up a free consultation with a skilled Bexar County, Texas personal injury lawyer today for more information.
How Can I Recover Compensation for My Damages?
After being involved in an accident and sustaining injuries and other damages, you can recover compensation in a variety of ways, including the following.
- PIP claim: If you opt in to PIP insurance (an optional no-fault auto insurance coverage), you can file a claim with your own provider to recover compensation for your injuries and injury-related expenses after an auto accident. PIP only applies to physical injuries and associated losses like medical expenses and lost wages.
- Liability claim: You should also file a claim with the negligent party’s insurance. The liable party’s policy should have coverage that allows you to recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, physical pain, emotional distress, and more.
- Mediation: You may choose to use mediation to negotiate a fair settlement with the negligent party and/or their insurance provider. This can be a beneficial way to negotiate for more compensation in a time and cost-effective manner.
- Arbitration: Arbitration is an alternative to court where both sides present their case to an arbitrator who will make the final decision. This method is often used in personal injury cases.
- Workers’ compensation: If your accident and injury occurred on the job or was work-related, you could file a claim with your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance for damages.
- Personal injury lawsuit: If negotiations and other options fail, you may decide to file a lawsuit against the negligent party and go to court to plead your case. This is generally a last-case scenario when you cannot reach an agreement with the other party or their insurance provider.
Do I Have to Go to Court for Compensation After an Accident?
As established, no, you do not necessarily have to go to court to recover compensation after an accident. You have several options that can yield satisfactory outcomes. However, filing a lawsuit and going to court is a viable and often advantageous path to take.
Many people try to avoid going to court as it has a reputation of being overwhelming, costly, and taking a long time to resolve. While these things can be true, going to court and presenting your case is often one of the most effective ways to recover compensation.
Judges and juries tend to award higher amounts of compensation than insurance providers are willing to offer. If you are not receiving satisfactory settlement offers and cannot reach an agreement outside of court, a lawsuit may be your best option.
If you are going to court, you need the help of an experienced and skillful personal injury lawyer. Reach out to a skilled attorney at Sahadi Legal Group to set up your free consultation today.
