When a careless driver causes an accident, other motorists, passengers, and pedestrians can suffer substantial injuries. While some people walk away from a car accident with mere cuts and bruises, others experience life-altering consequences. If someone caused your injuries in a car accident, you may be interested in speaking with an aggressive personal injury attorney from our firm.
If you have recently been involved in a car accident, you likely have some questions about your legal options, like whether you can settle a claim without a trial and how soon you should file a lawsuit. A consultation with a Sarpy County car accident lawyer could provide the answers you need to move forward with litigation against responsible parties.
Obtaining Compensation
There are two options for a Sarpy County car accident attorney to obtain compensation on behalf of an injured person:
- Negotiate a settlement with the defendant, or
- Take the case to trial.
Reaching a settlement takes months of hard work, research, and negotiation. When a settlement is not an option, the plaintiff may take their case to trial.
While a settlement usually results in compensation much faster than a trial, a trial gives the claimant the opportunity to recover maximum damages as opposed to accepting an offer.
To prevail at trial, the plaintiff and their legal representative must show that the defendant driver failed to take reasonable steps to avoid a crash. If the injured party can demonstrate that the other driver was negligent, he or she could recover damages.
The recoverable damages available in a civil claim include:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Property damage
- Mental anguish
- Other compensable damages.
The amount of compensation a claimant receives typically corresponds with the severity of his or her injury.
The right auto collision attorney can help a Sarpy County motorist recover compensation for the damages he or she has incurred as a result of another driver’s negligence.
Time Limits on Filing a Lawsuit
In Sarpy County, the deadline to file an injury lawsuit varies depending on the nature of the accident. For cases involving vehicle accidents, the deadline to file a civil suit is four years from the date of the injury.
This deadline is known as the “statute of limitations” and is designed to promote the timely collection and preservation of evidence which may otherwise be lost or destroyed over time.
Building a strong car accident claim can be challenging under any circumstances, but it may be especially challenging for someone recovering from an injury to adhere to strict legal deadlines without an attorney’s assistance.
In some circumstance, failing to comply with the statute of limitations could result in a complete dismissal of a claim. For this reason, it is in the best interest of anyone seeking to file a car crash lawsuit to seek guidance from a well-practiced Sarpy County lawyer.
Call a Sarpy County Car Accident Attorney Right Away
After a car accident, there are many important things to consider. Finding the right legal representation is just as crucial as seeking medical care, finding reliable transportation, and getting your vehicle repaired or replaced..
With the help of a Sarpy County car accident lawyer, you can recover the compensation you need to fully recover. Call Berry Law today to set up a free case evaluation with an injury attorney on our team.