I Was in a Car Accident, what are my rights?
You have the right to call the police.
We encourage you to do so. It helps document facts about the accident.
You have the right to seek medical treatment.
If you are injured – seek medical treatment. But please understand, recovering compensation for those medical expenses will only happen if you a) are using coverages of your own automobile insurance (such as PIP)/major medical insurance; b) not found at fault for the accident.
You have the right to choose any body shop you want to repair your vehicle.
Remember: If your car is considered a total loss, that means that the estimated repair cost has exceeded 70% of the market value for your car. Or that the vehicles frame has been damaged and the safety compromised. This determination is made by experts and in this case, you have the right to retain your vehicle under a salvage title or give your vehicle to the insurance company for market price compensation.
You have the right to recover lost wages due to injuries from the accident.
Remember: Anything more than three days needs medical documentation to support the time off.
You have the right to compensation for economic damages incurred:
Medical Cost Paid
Medical Cost Outstanding
Lost Wages
Loss of Earning Capacity
Diminished Value
Property Damages
You have the Right to Non-Economic Damages:
Pain
Suffering
Loss of Enjoyment
Life Adjustments
Anxiety
Mental Anguish
Propensity for future pain and suffering
You have the right to future damages if the medical recovery will require future treatment.
You have the right t punitive damages if the at fault party was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.