Involved in a car accident and not sure what to do now?
Don’t panic, you are in the right place. Millions of Americans face motor vehicle accidents each year. Recent estimates reveal that 39,345 people lost their lives in traffic crashes in 2024 alone.
The issue:
Most motor vehicle accident victims have no clue about what legal options they have. And the first thing they think about is filing an insurance claim.
Guess what?
That is not always the case.
Regardless of whether you suffered severe injuries, property damage, or both, there are legal options available to you to get the compensation that you truly deserve.
What you’ll uncover:
- Why Insurance Claims Aren’t Always Enough
- Legal Options Beyond Insurance
- How Attorneys Can Maximize Your Recovery
- When To Consider Filing a Lawsuit
Why Insurance Claims Aren’t Always Enough
Here is the thing that you need to know…
Insurance companies are businesses and not charities. Their primary purpose is to make a profit, and one of the ways that they do it is to pay as little as they can on claims. Insurance companies have teams of claim adjusters who know how to get you the lowest possible payout.
When you file an insurance claim after a motor vehicle accident, the insurance company will try to:
- Question the extent of your injuries
- Dispute the necessity of medical treatment
- Argue about fault and liability issues
- Push for a quick settlement
The result? You get significantly less compensation than what you really deserve.
And guess what…
Once you accept their settlement offer, you can never ask them for more money. Even if new injuries appear later.
This is why having a car accident attorney you can trust by your side from the very beginning is vital for protecting your rights.
Legal Options Beyond Insurance
Thinking that insurance claims are the only available option? You are wrong.
Motor vehicle accident victims have several legal options available to them:
Personal Injury Lawsuits
If the other driver was at fault, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against them directly. In that way, you can pursue compensation for:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
Personal injury lawsuits tend to result in much higher compensation than insurance claims.
Product Liability Claims
Was your accident caused by a defective vehicle part? In that case, you might be able to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer, and it may include:
- Defective brakes or steering
- Faulty airbags
- Tire blowouts
Product liability claims can be complicated, but they often lead to high compensation.
Wrongful Death Claims
Have you lost your loved one in a motor vehicle accident? Then you can file a wrongful death lawsuit. Those claims can provide compensation for:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of income and benefits
- Loss of companionship
The bottom line: you have more legal options than you might have thought.
How Attorneys Can Maximize Your Recovery
Curious about the biggest mistake that car accident victims make?
Trying to go at it alone.
The issue is:
Insurance companies are experts in what they do. You are not. Insurance companies know that you are unaware of your legal rights, and they exploit that to get you to accept a lowball settlement.
But things change the moment you have an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney on your side:
They Know What Your Case Is Worth
Attorneys have seen hundreds of similar cases. They know exactly how much your injuries and pain and suffering are worth.
They will not allow the insurance companies to shortchange you.
They Handle All Paperwork
Legal documents, medical records, insurance forms… there is a ton of paperwork that needs to be done after a serious accident.
Your attorney will take care of it all, so you can concentrate on your recovery.
They Negotiate with Insurance Companies
Insurance adjusters are professional negotiators, are you?
Attorneys speak the same language, and they know how to get you the highest possible compensation.
They Can Take Your Case to Court
Sometimes, the negotiations do not work. And when that happens, you need someone who can take your case to trial.
Most people cannot do it on their own.
When To Consider Filing a Lawsuit
Not every motor vehicle accident warrants a lawsuit. But some situations definitely do call for legal action:
Serious Injuries
You suffered serious injuries that have long-term effects and a lawsuit is more than likely required. Insurance settlements usually do not cover the complete cost of:
- Long-term medical care
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Lost earning potential
Disputed Fault
The other driver (or their insurance company) is refusing to take responsibility. And you might have to prove fault in court.
Inadequate Insurance Coverage
You lose your loved one in a motor vehicle accident, and the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your damages. 44,680 people died in preventable traffic crashes in 2024, and many of those cases involved drivers with insufficient coverage.
In such cases, you have to explore other legal options.
Bad Faith Insurance Practices
Your own insurance company is acting in bad faith – they are denying your valid claims, delaying payments, or offering unreasonably low settlements. You might have to file a lawsuit against them.
Types of Compensation Available
One of the most important things that you need to know is what types of compensation you are entitled to.
For most people, it is quite shocking how many different types of damages they can actually claim:
Economic Damages
These are the monetary losses:
- Medical bills and treatment
- Lost wages and benefits
- Property damage
Non-Economic Damages
These are the less tangible but equally important ones:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive Damages
In cases of extreme negligence (drunk driving, for example) courts can award punitive damages.
The thing to remember: Insurance companies will try to dispute your non-economic damages to the fullest. And that is when having legal representation becomes so important.
Don’t Delay
This is something that many accident victims do not expect…
There are strict time limits to filing lawsuits after motor vehicle accidents. These are known as “statutes of limitations”.
Miss the deadline, and you lose your right to any compensation forever.
This is the exact reason why you need to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after your accident. Even if you think that you will settle it through insurance, seeking legal advice early on will protect your options.
Getting Started
Dealing with the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident is overwhelming. It becomes a thousand times more so if you try to handle complex legal issues on your own.
The good news is that most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. Which means you do not pay a single dollar unless they win your case.
If you were in an accident, don’t just accept what the insurance company is offering to you. Do your research and find out what your real legal options are.
Wrapping It All Together
Motor vehicle accidents can turn your life upside down in a second. But you do not have to deal with the legal challenges that come your way alone.
From insurance claims to personal injury lawsuits, motor vehicle accident victims have various legal options available to them to get the compensation that they truly deserve. It is all about understanding your options and having the right legal team by your side.
Remember – insurance companies are not on your side. They are protecting their bottom line, not you.
Don’t let them take advantage of you. Get the legal help that you need to protect your rights and secure your future.