What Happens to My Vehicle if it’s Damaged in an Accident?

If you are injured in a car accident, chances are that your vehicle suffered some damage, too. Maybe you just have a bent fender or maybe your car is totaled. So, what now?

You know if you are injured to seek medical attention immediately. Then, once you have attended to your medical needs, you may choose to hire a personal injury attorney to help you seek compensation for your injuries. But, do you need an attorney to help you recover from your vehicle damage as well?

Personal Injury v. Property Damage Claims

Although bodily injury, emotional pain, and vehicle damage can all be direct results of the same accident, personal injury and property damage are actually very different legal matters. Negotiation and lawsuits related to damage to your body and mental health are considered “personal injury” and are often handled by an attorney. Property damage, on the other hand, is governed by separate laws, and negotiations regarding property damage compensation are not generally part of a personal injury suit.

Property damage claims are designed to help you cover the cost of damage to your vehicle, and can include compensation for

• Repair or replace your vehicle

• Towing and vehicle storage expenses

• Rental car expenses (while your car is being repaired or replaced)

• Damage to personal items within the car

• Retrieval of personal items from within a totaled car

In general, the negligent party’s insurance is responsible for paying these costs. If the driver does not have insurance or the costs exceed the policy limits, your own insurance company will likely need to cover the difference.

Often, people who have suffered property damage choose to handle any compensation directly with their insurance company. Including an attorney in this process is not required, although you may want to have your attorney advocate for you on your behalf.

Transportation is Essential to Recovery

At Wakefield Law, we have been representing clients in personal injury suits for 30 years. We know that your vehicle is not only expensive to repair or replace, but that transportation is essential to your recovery. Without a vehicle, getting to work, doctor’s appointments, and physical therapy can be a challenge and can increase your financial losses. That’s why we offer our expertise and assistance to our personal injury clients in matters related to property damage. Whether it’s negotiating the value of a vehicle with an insurance company, getting you into a rental car as quickly as possible, negotiating mechanics liens, balancing liability coverage between bodily and vehicular, or anything else, our experienced attorneys go above and beyond to ensure that your needs are met quickly and fairly.

If you have been injured in an accident and would like to learn more about how a personal injury attorney can help you, reach out to us at Wakefield Law. Our phone number is 703-771-9740.