Car Accident Lawsuits and Legal Claims FAQs

Car accidents are as much a part of life as anything else, considering the number of hours weekly we spend in our beloved automobile. That being said, people have a lot of questions concerning car accident lawsuits, so here we attempt to answer the most frequently asked questions about car accident lawsuits.

I was in an accident last week and was told it was not just my fault, but both drivers’ faults. I argued, but didn’t win. Can you explain this concept to me please?

I’ll be happy to. Let’s set up two fictitious accident scenarios.  Randy and Marsha are in an automobile accident.  Randy runs a stop sign and is held 100 percent at fault.  Randy will then be responsible for 100 percent of Marsha’s damages and the money she should receive.

Tim and Lori are in an automobile accident.  Tim runs a stop sign, but Lori was speeding.  If a car accident lawsuit determines that Tim is 70 percent at fault and Lori is 30 percent at fault, Lori will only recover 70 percent of the money that she is entitled.

How will I get my medical bills paid and who will pay them?

That’s a fantastic question! When you hire a personal injury attorney and engage in a car accident lawsuit, usually, the medical bills go straight to the lawyer for either payment or documentation--or both. The at-fault party is responsible for payment.

My insurance company is being a real pain about providing what I think is a fair settlement. Should I haul them into court?

That my friend is a question you and your personal injury attorney need to brainstorm. What you may think is fair after an accident may not be what society thinks as fair. Pain and suffering do count in the equation but only to the extent society deems fit.

Who pays my attorneys fees? I can’t afford to pay a lawyer!

Whoa now--that’s a mighty good question. Most attorneys charge a contingency fee, whose limit is set by each state individually. Most reputable personal injury attorneys ask for no money upfront and don’t charge you a cent unless they win. Most times, if they take your case, they know they will win.

I was charged with a crime because I left the scene of the accident for a short while. It was the other guy’s fault! Can I still file a car accident lawsuit?

Wow, I feel for you. While it is true laws are sometimes very strict, in many cases you can still take the at-fault person or the insurance company to court. Your lawyer can give you a straight from the hip answer to this important question.