The Houston Chronicle, a leading Texas newspaper, reports that car crashes in the state cost a whopping $38.4 billion in 2017, representing an 86% increase from 2007. These statistics factor in a year’s lost wages in addition to other car accident costs.
Given these cost implications, you deserve to be compensated if you believe the other driver was at-fault during your crash. Working with a competent car accident attorney in Texas will help you file a successful claim in court. At Thompson Law, we have represented a variety of different case types and recovered incredible amounts of money for our clients.
Read along for more insights on the real cost of car accidents and how car insurance coverage can protect you from paying more than you should.
The following can be the contributing factors to the overall car accident costs:
A car accident can result in minor damages that are hardly noticeable to significant vehicle damage requiring extensive repairs. The more extensive the damage, the higher the cost of the repair. Notably, some vehicle parts cost higher to replace than others.
Even minor car accidents may result in injuries requiring some medical attention. Injuries like minor cuts and bruises may not need hospitalization, but it is in your best interest to get checked by a qualified physician. Severe injuries, such as back injuries, may require hospitalization, lifelong care, surgeries, and physical therapies. In a nutshell, all types of injuries can significantly push the cost of your accident.
The severity of third-party injuries and the number of occupants in a third party’s automobile at the time of the collision can substantially push the cost of an accident. If you are determined to be at fault, you may be legally liable for your passenger’s damages as well.
Car crashes can damage more property than the third-party vehicle itself. If your accident damage other property, such as valuable items in the vehicle or other people’s homes, and other infrastructure, you may be legally liable for the damage.
After an accident, it is a good practice to work with experienced car accident lawyers to help you file a lawsuit and pursue the compensation you deserve. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means that you will pay for their services at the end if you settle or get an award. The standard amount an attorney will take for their services can be anything between 33 and 50 percent.
Car accidents are much more than money. Let’s look at the typical costs associated with car accidents in the US.
Car crashes typically result in repair expenses. The cost of repair can add up quickly depending on the severity of the accident. The much you have to pay for some common repairs depend on the accident’s location, the extent of the damage, vehicle model, and other factors.
Notably, significant damages that affect other parts of the car, such as the engine or suspension, can cost much higher. It typically takes not less than two weeks to complete a major collision repair, and you should factor in the cost of renting a car while yours is in the garage.
Car crashes can cause severe injuries, pain, and decreased quality of life. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates the cost of US road crashes to be around $871 billion in a single year. Dealing with the aftermath of car accident costs, including treatments, visits to doctors, loss of productivity, requires substantial amounts of money.
According to US CDC, the average cost of hospital visits to treat injuries caused by car crashes is about $3,300 for the emergency room and about $7,500 for normal hospitalization. Importantly, it is not just money that you could be losing but also time and energy. All these losses are factored in when calculating the actual cost of your treatment and recovery.
Even fender bender accidents can result in lost wages and a downturn in work productivity. Any car accident can affect your productivity in the following ways:
Having the right insurance coverage before an accident happens can significantly reduce car accident costs following a crash. Apart from comprehensive coverage and collision coverage, you can also add coverage like Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Medical Payments (MedPay) to help ease the financial burdens of medical bills and other damages. The cost of out-of-pocket vehicle repairs and medical exposes can be prohibitively high if you drive without insurance and are involved in a car crash.
The consequences of driving without insurance tend to vary from state to state. Since you don’t have the policy to protect you, you can be sued and forced to pay for all the injuries and damage caused. You can also expect the following consequences:
If you have sustained injuries due to an accident, you have the right to compensation in the form of personal injury damages. However, dealing with insurance companies and obtaining fair and just compensation may not be an easy undertaking. That is why it is wise to work with an experienced personal injury lawyer who handles all the legal aspects of your lawsuit so you can concentrate on recovery.
At Thompson Law, our team of personal injury lawyers has the expertise, resources, and commitment to get the fair compensation you deserve. Call (844) 308-8180 or connect with us online to talk to our bilingual team today for a free case evaluation. A car accident costs a lot, but your call with us is free.
Thompson Law receives an attorney fee and you pay no legal fees as our client unless we pay you. Thompson Law has 350 years of combined experience in legal representation and has won over $1.8 billion dollars in cash settlements for our clients. We master the art of managing client cases with empathy, compassion, respect and, of course, prodigious skill. Contact us today for a free, risk-free consultation to discuss your accident and your options.
State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an auto accident. If you have been injured in an accident, call now to get the help you need.
