Some car crashes are relatively minor. They create a little bit of cosmetic damage to the vehicles involved, but there are no major losses for anyone involved. People may not even view the damage as worth addressing and may decline to file insurance claims.
Other times, motor vehicle collisions are serious enough that the people involved decide they need to take legal action. The party at fault for a crash can be vulnerable to litigation. Provided that they either broke traffic rules or drove in a negligent manner, the people harmed by the collision could potentially take legal action against them.
When do those affected by a motor vehicle collision need to consider a lawsuit to recover their losses?
1. When the other driver is uninsured
The law clearly requires liability insurance as a condition of driving. However, some people intentionally cancel their policies because of how much their coverage costs. They gamble with their finances in the hopes that they don’t get caught or cause a crash. Others forget to pay the premiums.
While some people may have uninsured driver coverage on their policies, not everyone does. Those hurt by an uninsured driver may need to take legal action to cover their collision expenses.
2. When the crash causes catastrophic injuries
Some crash injuries are relatively minor. People need stitches and make a quick recovery. Other injuries are catastrophic. They cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and produce life-altering challenges.
Amputations, brain injuries and spinal cord injuries are among the various types of injuries that may require litigation. If the cost of medical care and the lost wages created by the injuries go beyond the coverage of the driver at fault, a lawsuit may be necessary.
3. When someone dies because of a crash
Sometimes, the person harmed by the crash succumbs to their injuries. When the collisions prove fatal, the total expenses generated can easily reach six or seven figures. Families may need to consider a wrongful death lawsuit as a means of recovering medical expenses, funeral costs and a lifetime of lost wages.
Insurance claims after a car crash can be hard to handle alone. Litigation is almost impossible to manage without support. Recognizing when a lawsuit may be necessary and obtaining appropriate assistance can help people limit their losses after a major car wreck. A successful lawsuit can provide compensation to the people harmed by the bad behavior of others.