Motor vehicle accidents are, sadly, common in NY and NJ. In NYC alone, there were over 100,000 car crashes last year! If you’re unfortunate enough to be in a road crash, you should know your legal rights. Below, we explain what you can sue for in a car accident claim, and how much your case may be worth.
If you’re hurt in a car crash, you have two choices for making a claim.
The type of claim you make could influence how much you’re able to sue for.
As an example, say you’re injured due to someone else’s negligence. This may be worth more than if you’re just filing a simple insurance claim for property damage. An attorney can explain how best to proceed with a claim.
There are deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits and insurance claims.
You should contact a lawyer as soon as possible after a crash. Not only can they estimate how much you can sue for, but they’ll ensure you don’t miss key deadlines.
It’s clear that you can sue for various losses after a car crash. But how much can you sue for? There’s no simple answer to this question.
However, in most cases, victims can sue for economic and non-economic damages.
Economic and non-economic damages are types of compensatory damages. What are compensatory damages, though? Let’s take a look.
Compensatory damages aim to compensate the victim for their actual, tangible losses. They’re not always easy to quantify, though. For example, it’s hard to put a price on pain and suffering. The actual award will vary significantly from case to case.
In serious cases, victims (or their loved ones) might also sue for punitive damages. Punitive damages are designed to punish the defendant.
Courts don’t award punitive damages lightly. They’re usually only available if the defendant behaved deliberately or maliciously. If awarded, though, punitive damages can be significant.
Caps are limits on how much you can sue for. The good news is that there are no caps on compensatory damages in NJ or NY. There may, however, be caps on punitive damages.
In NY, there are no caps on damages. It doesn’t matter if you sue for compensatory or punitive damages. You get what the judge deems a fair amount.
But in NJ, there are limits on punitive damages. You can’t get more than $350,000 or five times the amount of compensatory damages – whichever is greater.
Yes. Even if you’re not injured, you can sue for property damage. Usually, this means making an insurance claim. You can claim for various losses, including:
Property claims aren’t always easy to prove, especially if you’re trying to prove the other driver caused the damage. You might seek legal advice if:
Unsure if you’ve received a fair settlement offer from your insurance carrier? An attorney can help you negotiate for the maximum amount possible.
It’s difficult to accurately value a car accident claim. However, what you can sue depends on various factors, including:
Every case is unique. Your attorney can only determine how much you might sue for after carefully considering your case.
Do you wish to pursue a claim? To maximize your damages, here’s what to do immediately after the crash and in the following days or weeks.
Car accident cases can be complex. If you’re new to this area of law, it’s hard to understand how much you can sue. It’s also tricky to know how to make a claim.
That’s where we can help. Our auto accident lawyers know how serious these crashes can be. Even if you’re not severely injured, you could face significant losses. We want to help you cover these losses and get the damages you deserve.
Our experienced attorneys handle personal injury cases like yours every day. We’re passionate about helping car accident victims get justice – and a fair amount of compensation. To schedule your free case evaluation, call now or reach us online. Or let our team come to you!
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