The costs of a car accident can add up quickly. If you were seriously injured in a crash, the medical expenses and missed time from work can put you in a deep financial hole. Fortunately, an experienced car accident lawyer in Mitchell can help get you the money you need to cover your costs.
At Hoy Law, we know the challenges you face after a serious car accident. Our team of experienced Mitchell personal injury lawyers has been helping accident victims in South Dakota for more than 35 years and understands how these cases are handled. Reach out to us today to set up a free case evaluation with a member of our legal staff.
Steps to Take Following a Car Accident to Help With Your Claim
The most important thing to do following a car accident to ensure you recover the money you need is to hire an experienced attorney. Your lawyer will handle every aspect of your legal case. However, there are still things you can do to help ensure that your case is strong so you can get the money you deserve.
You need to be careful to follow all medical advice and stick to the treatment plan laid out by your doctor. Neglecting the orders of your doctor can lead to your injury being misdiagnosed, and the result could be a worsening of your injury. In this case, the party responsible for the initial injuries you incurred will not be liable for any additional damages.
It’s important not to let medical costs discourage you from getting the medical treatment you need. At Hoy Law, we can help direct you to options so you can pay your medical bills while waiting to recover damages from the responsible party, in certain cases.
For a free legal consultation with a car accident lawyer serving Mitchell, call 605-334-8900
Damages You Can Collect After a Crash With Help from an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer Serving Mitchell
After sustaining serious injuries in a car accident, there are several types of damages you will likely be able to collect from the party that caused your accident. However, the full value of your damages will not be available unless you can identify all the damages you have the right to pursue.
While many of the damages you are eligible to collect will be clear, others can be more difficult to nail down. The good news is that an experienced car accident lawyer in Mitchell will be able to review your accident and the resulting losses you suffered to determine all the damages you can claim.
Compensatory Damages
Compensatory damages serve as monetary compensation used to replace losses incurred by an accident victim. These damages can be organized into the subcategories of economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are meant to replace any financial losses caused by your accident dollar for dollar. Meanwhile, non-economic damages are used to compensate you for the losses you suffered that negatively impacted your quality of life. Some of the most common compensatory damages in car accident cases include:
- Lost wages
- Decreased earning ability
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
- Property damage
When you hire an attorney to help you recover compensation, they will thoroughly investigate your accident and go over every loss you sustained as a result. They will identify the damages that apply and give you the best odds of a positive case result.
If a car accident resulted in the death of a loved one, you can file a wrongful death claim to recover several additional damages that don’t apply in a typical personal injury case, such as funeral and burial costs. An experienced Mitchell wrongful death lawyer can assist you with your claim.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are used as a means of punishing the at-fault party for the role they played in causing the injury. These damages are reserved for extreme cases. A judge will only award punitive damages if the liable party acted with malice to cause harm or if they were criminally negligent.
Mitchell Car Accident Lawyer Near Me 605-334-8900
An Experienced Attorney Will Help Ensure That Your Lawsuit Gets Filed on Time
When pursuing compensation following a car accident, any delays can cost you. Generally, the South Dakota personal injury statute of limitations allows car accident victims three years to file a lawsuit against the party responsible for their damages. If you miss the filing deadline, you will likely be out of options for recovering compensation.
However, it’s essential to realize that an exception could apply to your case that would alter the filing deadline. If an exception applies, you could be granted additional time to file. Alternatively, you could find that you have less time to take legal action. An experienced attorney can identify the exact filing date for your case and ensure that all the necessary documents are filed on time.
Another reason to act quickly after an accident is that by hiring a car accident attorney in Mitchell, you will put them in the best position to build a strong case in support of your claim. They will have a better chance of securing evidence before it is lost or corrupt, and they will be able to record testimony from witnesses, while their memories of the event are more reliable.
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Get Started on Your Case With Help From an Experienced Car Accident Attorney in Mitchell Today
After a serious car accident, securing compensation can be critical. Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer serving Mitchell is the best way to increase your chances of getting the money you need to get your life back on track. The experienced legal team at Hoy Law will do everything within our power to ensure a favorable resolution to your case.
Contact us by completing our online contact form, using our chat tool, or giving us a call today and setting up a free initial case consultation with a member of our legal team.
Call or text 605-334-8900 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
