Your car’s airbags can deploy during an accident. If this happens, it does not mean your car is considered “totaled.” However, if you have an Oklahoma car accident lawyer at your side, you can seek damages for any auto damage you incur.
At BDIW Law, we offer legal help to auto accident victims. To learn more, please reach out to us. We can connect you with a car accident attorney who can review your case and help you file a lawsuit against at-fault parties.
It Can Be Tough to Tell if Your Car Is Totaled
For your car’s frontal airbags to deploy, your vehicle must be traveling at a speed of at least 8 miles per hour and strike a solid, fixed barrier, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Your car’s frontal and side airbags can deploy at the same time. They can protect you against serious injuries.
Even if your car’s airbags deploy and there is severe damage to your vehicle, your automobile may not be considered a lost cause. An insurance company will classify a car as totaled if the cost to repair it exceeds the vehicle’s book value. In addition, your car may be considered totaled after an accident if your vehicle is no longer safe to drive.
If you have been in a car accident where your vehicle is totaled or significant damage has occurred, you may be entitled to damages. At this time, it pays to partner with an auto accident lawyer from BDIW Law. For more information, please get in touch with us.
Our Team Is Here To Assist You Every Step Of The Way.
SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYYour Car Insurer Will Not Necessarily Cover the Cost of Your Totaled Car
There are generally four types of insurance that cover the cost of a totaled automobile:
- Collision: If you have this type of coverage, you are all set if your car is totaled due to an accident with another vehicle or an immovable object.
- Comprehensive: With comprehensive coverage, you can get compensation if your car is totaled due to non-accident-related damage caused by poor weather, vandalism, or animals.
- Property damage liability: If another driver causes your car accident and your vehicle is totaled, the at-fault motorist’s property damage liability coverage should be used to pay for any costs to replace your totaled vehicle.
- Uninsured or underinsured motorist: This insurance coverage allows you to get compensation for your totaled vehicle, even if someone else causes your car accident and they do not have insurance.
Do not expect the at-fault party’s insurance company to instantly cover the full cost of your totaled car. In some instances, this individual’s insurer will reach out to you immediately after your auto accident and offer a lowball settlement. You may have no idea that the settlement is less than the total damage to your car but may be inclined to accept it, especially if the insurance company puts pressure on you to do so.
When you hire an experienced car accident lawyer, you can get the help you need to get fair compensation from anyone responsible for your auto accident. Your lawyer can help you file a lawsuit against the at-fault motorist and make sure you request a reasonable amount of money for your totaled car. On top of that, they can help you request compensation for any injuries or other damages you incur.
You Can Suffer an Injury if Your Car’s Airbags Deploy
Airbags can deploy properly but still cause injuries. Common airbag-related injuries include:
- Bruising and fractures to the face
- Chest injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Eye injuries
- Hearing loss and other ear trauma
If you get into a car accident and your vehicle’s airbags deploy, call 911. Medical personnel and police officers will then arrive on the scene. You can get medical treatment for any injuries you suffer and report the accident to the police.
Following your car accident, look for an attorney to help you get compensation for any damages. Read through an attorney’s client testimonials so you can get a good idea of how this lawyer supports their clients. You can also meet with a lawyer to find out if they have what it takes to advocate for you and protect your legal rights.
Steps You Need to Take if You Believe Your Car Is Totaled After an Accident
If your automobile’s airbags deploy during an accident and your vehicle suffers substantial damage, you will need to figure out if your car can be repaired. You can bring your car to a repair shop to assess the damage. Next, you can find out if your car is a total loss.
Along with having your car checked out by a mechanic, you should go to a doctor and receive a full evaluation. Although you may experience no physical symptoms in the initial minutes or hours after your accident, it is still beneficial to follow up with a doctor. If a doctor ultimately finds you are dealing with an injury, you can treat this issue in its early stages.
Do not wait to partner with an attorney, either. You have a limited amount of time after your car accident to seek damages from an at-fault motorist. If you choose not to file a lawsuit, you lose the right to do so at a later time.
A Car Accident Lawyer Takes the Guesswork Out of Filing a Lawsuit
Your auto accident lawyer will encourage you to seek the most damages possible. The amount of damages you should seek depends on the extent of your car damage, any injuries you incur, and other factors. If you suffer a catastrophic injury, you may want to ask for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
After your lawsuit is filed, your attorney will help you prepare your case. Your attorney will work with you to gather evidence. They will make sure you know what to expect when your case goes to trial, too.
At BDIW Law, we can help you request compensation as part of a car accident lawsuit. To get started, please contact us today.
