Georgetown, Delaware Car Accident Compensation Lawyer
Get the money you deserve for your car accident injury expenses
Car accident expenses in Delaware can add up fast. Whether it’s medical bills or vehicle repairs, the financial impact of your car crash can quickly reach thousands of dollars or significantly more. That’s why it’s so important that you receive the car accident compensation you deserve. Otherwise, you could end up having to pay for your crash out of your own pocket.
Our Delaware car accident attorneys at Gill, Welsh, and Chamberlain, P.A. know what’s at stake. That’s why we want to help you demand the maximum car accident compensation for your Delaware car crash.
Why choose us? We know exactly what to do. Founded in 1983, our law firm understands how Delaware’s legal system works, especially when it comes to car accident compensation. You can count on us to demand the money you deserve after your car crash.
FAQs About Car Accident Compensation
- What expenses does car accident compensation cover?
- Who decides how much money is awarded for car accidents?
- Can I receive car accident compensation if I’m partially at fault?
- Can I ask for more car accident compensation?
- Does car accident compensation cover pain and suffering?
- Can I ask for additional car accident compensation if I already settled my case?
- How can a car accident compensation lawyer help?
What expenses does car accident compensation cover?
Car accident compensation should pay for all your expenses associated with your car crash. And not just current ones. Any future anticipated expenses should be part of any compensation package awarded for your car crash. Such expenses can include:
- Emergency medical care, including ambulance rides, ER visits and emergency surgery
- Follow-up medical treatment, including physical therapy and follow-up doctor’s appointments
- Prescription drugs and medical devices, including wheelchairs or walkers
- Replacement income if you need time off from work to recover from your injuries
- Lost future income if you cannot return to work
- Cost of repairing or replacing your car
These are just a few examples of what might be included in your car accident claim. The actual expenses will depend on the details of your case. A car accident compensation lawyer can review your case and explain different funding options. That way, you won’t have to pay for such expenses out of your own pocket.
Who decides how much money is awarded for car accidents?
In many cases, insurance companies (yours and the other driver’s) often have a lot to say about how much compensation should be awarded to you after your car accident. Unfortunately, insurance companies often don’t take all accident expenses into account when determining how much money you should receive for your accident. Instead, they often only focus on short-term expenses and forget to include future anticipated expenses.
If you file a lawsuit and your case goes to court, a judge or jury will decide how much you should be awarded for car accident compensation. They will review the facts of your case and listen to witnesses before deciding on an amount. This process takes more time but can result in a fairer outcome.
In both scenarios, it’s critical that you have an experienced car accident compensation lawyer on your side. Your attorney can explain how your accident has impacted your life financially. They can push back against low settlement offers or convincingly present your case in court. Having a lawyer means your side of the story is heard when deciding how much you should be paid.
Can I receive car accident compensation if I’m partially at fault?
In most cases, yes. Delaware requires drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. This means your own insurance company may pay for certain expenses like medical care and lost wages, no matter who caused the accident. This coverage can help pay certain bills right away after your crash.
If another driver was careless and caused the accident, you may still be able to make a claim against them. Delaware uses a comparative fault rule, which allows you to recover money from the at-fault driver as long as you are not more than 50 percent at fault. If you share some blame, your compensation will be reduced by your share of fault.
For example, if your accident expenses exceed your car insurance coverage by $50,000 and you are 20 percent at fault, you could only receive $40,000 in compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company under Delaware’s comparative fault rule. All of this can be very confusing and contentious. This is why having a lawyer matters.
Can I ask for more car accident compensation?
Yes, you can ask for more compensation if you have not yet accepted a settlement offer. Insurance companies often make low offers first. As a car accident injury victim, you have the right to demand more money if the amount does not cover all your expenses.
If you have not signed a settlement agreement, your lawyer can negotiate for more car accident compensation. They can use medical reports, lost wage records and other proof to show the true cost of your accident. This will hopefully lead to a higher offer that better matches your total financial needs.
But once you accept a settlement, that’s it. Your case is settled. You cannot ask for more money later, even if your expenses go up dramatically in the future. That is why you should carefully review every settlement offer with an attorney. A car accident compensation lawyer can explain if the offer is fair or if you should keep fighting for more.
Does car accident compensation cover pain and suffering?
Yes, car accident compensation in Delaware can include money for pain and suffering in certain circumstances. But rules involving this type of compensation in Delaware can be extremely confusing. You cannot simply file a claim with your own insurance company and ask them for money for pain and suffering.
In order to obtain compensation for pain and suffering, you usually must file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or take them to court. This is where evidence of your injuries becomes very important. Conditions like shoulder pain, lower back pain, or tinnitus can all be part of a claim for pain and suffering.
A lawyer can show how the accident changed your life and caused pain and suffering. Your attorney can present solid evidence in support of your claim, including medical records, expert testimony and other evidence that shows why you should be paid for pain and suffering. This is one of the ways a car accident lawsuit can help you recover what you truly deserve.
Can I ask for additional car accident compensation if I already settled my case?
No. Once you accept a settlement for a car accident in Delaware, you cannot ask for more money later. The settlement closes your case. Even if your medical bills grow, the insurance company does not have to pay you more money.
That is why it is important to wait until you know the full cost of your injuries before agreeing to accept a settlement offer. An early settlement offer may not include future expenses like ongoing medical care, future lost income or follow-up surgery. Accepting too soon could leave you with huge bills you cannot afford to pay in the future.
If you have not yet accepted a settlement offer, it’s not too late to change your mind. You still have the right to ask for more money. A car accident compensation lawyer can review your offer and advise whether to settle, negotiate or take legal action. The choice is yours.
How can a car accident compensation lawyer help?
There are many different ways an attorney can help you demand the car accident compensation you deserve. This is why it’s critical that you have an experienced legal team on your side. A lawyer can:
- Review all settlement offers you receive for your car accident
- Deal directly with insurance companies on your behalf
- Negotiate a better settlement offer with your insurance company or the at-fault driver’s insurance company
- File a lawsuit on your behalf against an insurance company if they deny your claim
- Represent you in court and explain the total financial impact of your crash on your life
The stakes are high after a serious car crash. This is why insurance companies often play hard and do everything they can to pay you as little as possible or nothing at all. Your lawyer can fight back on your behalf and demand every dollar you deserve in car accident compensation.
Demand the car accident compensation you deserve. Contact us
You have enough to worry about after your Delaware car accident. Whether it’s doctor’s appointments to treat your injuries or dealing with vehicle repairs, the last thing on your mind should be whether or not you receive all the compensation you deserve for your car crash.
That’s our job. That’s why we want to help. When you have an experienced Delaware car accident compensation lawyer from Gill, Welsh, and Chamberlain, P.A. on your side, you can be sure that your accident claim will receive the attention it rightfully deserves.
Stand up for your rights after your car crash. Contact our law firm and schedule your free consultation now. We can answer any questions you might have about your case and explain how car accident compensation works in Delaware. We’re on your side.