Even minor car accidents can run up significant bills in Oklahoma. You may feel a sense of relief after being in a car accident and finding that everyone involved appears to be okay initially following the incident. You have looked at the damage to your vehicle, and it does not appear to be significant either.
Unfortunately, initial observations do not tell an entire story. Even after a minor car accident, it is possible to sue for damages. Discovering that your costs and injuries are more extensive than you thought after an accident will require a knowledgeable Oklahoma motor vehicle accident lawyer to assist you with compensation for the unexpected expenses you incur.
Reasons for Suing After a Minor Car Accident
After a minor car accident, when major injuries are not a result, there are several primary factors that may arise, demanding legal action, and you may need to file a lawsuit to receive compensation. Representation from BDIW Law ensures you have a car accident attorney in Oklahoma that is experienced and successful in lawsuit litigation.
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SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYYou Lost Property in the Vehicle
People often carry their entire world in their automobiles each day, and the cost of replacing those items can be significant if they become damaged. Insurance coverage limits and what those amounts can secure will be considered first. The minimum coverage a driver must carry for liability is $25,000.
Even minor repairs to an automobile can exhaust that limit quickly. Additionally, an insurance company may determine that your property damages are not covered under the driver’s policy, leaving you without your property and any way to replace it. What could this property look like in an accident?
- Computer, cell phone, or any work equipment
- Clothing that may be packed for a trip
- A pet that may be injured requiring veterinarian services
- Household goods while moving
The list is endless, and so are the damages. Consider the cost of vet bills for an animal that may have sustained extensive injuries from being tossed around in an accident. It never takes long to incur significant bills.
If Your Property Was Damaged by a Vehicle
Accidents may involve more than automobiles and the property inside of a vehicle. Suppose you are driving through a new upscale community looking at prospective homes. Becoming distracted, you run a stop sign and cross a street, crashing into someone’s yard through a fence, but the damage appears minor.
Later, you receive notification of a lawsuit for damages to the property that includes the fence, the cost of replacing the new sod that had just been installed, accent lighting that lined the yard that was partially destroyed in the accident, and service costs for a tree that was damaged where your car came to rest on its trunk. Your insurance may not come close to covering the cost of repairs, so the property owner has opted to file a lawsuit for the damages.
Inadequate Insurance Coverage
As previously mentioned, a lack of insurance can result in a lawsuit to recover costly damages caused by a car accident. The other driver’s insurance may only allow for partial coverage of your damages, requiring you to find a way to pay for the additional costs that still exist. Working with respected Oklahoma car accident attorneys like BDIW Law will encourage the insurance company to settle because they know you are taking the damages and compensation seriously.
In a busy world, assessing damages during a highly charged time, law enforcement may fail to accurately document incidents in the accident, influencing insurance adjusters to hold you responsible for a higher percentage of fault than necessary. When the insurance company refuses to pay appropriately, you may need to file a lawsuit if documentation of the accident does not persuade them otherwise.
Transportation Costs
Repairs to your car can take time, depending on the damages, the availability of parts for replacement, and how busy the body shop is. Car rental costs can add up or may not be covered under insurance.
Salary Compensation
The accident may cause you to miss work because of minor injuries, such as pain and stiffness. But you may be absent for multiple days due to a lack of public transportation or the inability to get a rental car while your automobile is being repaired. A motor vehicle accident attorney understands the far-reaching effects of the damages and the appropriate claims in an Oklahoma car accident.
Emotional Distress
You may have escaped major physical injuries from the accident, and your property is only minorly damaged. But the emotional toll of the accident can be equally debilitating. Not every scar is visible.
Psychological trauma from an accident may result in necessary treatment from a therapist. Documenting and proving these non-economic damages is often challenging. Talk with a compassionate Oklahoma accident attorney about compensatory damages you can sue for if insurance does not cover the need for treatments and medication.
Unforeseen Medical Expenses
Specific injuries resulting from car accidents may not appear until days after the accident. Even minor car accidents can result in injuries, such as whiplash, that can result in ongoing pain and treatment. When the limits of bodily injury coverage have been reached, the cost is either paid out of pocket or a lawsuit may be necessary to receive the treatment that restores your health.
Lawsuits in Minor Car Accidents
The injured party will first seek to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. When coverage limits have been reached, a lawsuit may be filed against the insurance company. When this avenue is exhausted, a lawsuit may be filed against the at-fault driver.
The best way to determine if your claim requires court action in an Oklahoma car accident is to work with a supportive attorney that evaluates the whole picture to discern your compensation needs.
Representation in Oklahoma Minor Car Accidents
Car accidents that initially seem inconsequential can turn into costly endeavors and require the help of an Oklahoma Car Accident attorney. Understanding all the options for compensation, including lawsuits in minor car accidents, is imperative to your emotional, physical, and financial recovery.
Let a member of the BDIW Law team assist you today. We will work to ensure the maximum compensation in a minor car accident to cover all of your needs. And you will pay no fees unless your claim is secured.
