If you’ve been in an accident, you may end up paying for more than just repairs to your vehicle. There are a lot of hidden costs that may pile up after your car is totaled or severely damaged in an accident.
In this blog, we will explore the true cost of damage to your vehicle, and discuss who is responsible for paying these fees and how to recover compensation after you’ve been in an accident.
The first and most obvious cost is the actual property (or physical) damage to your vehicle. Cars are getting more expensive to repair due to the use of advanced electronics and sensors. Even an accident that seems minor can result in hefty repair bills – including the total loss of your vehicle.
You may need to pay to have your vehicle towed to an auto body shop, collision center or salvage yard, and you may need to pay to have it stored until insurance adjusters can examine it and determine whether or not it’s worth repairing. This isn’t cheap, and can easily cost you hundreds of dollars in daily storage fees.
If you need a car to get to work, take your kids to school, and accomplish other day-to-day tasks, you may need to rent a car. The price of renting a car can fluctuate so it's best to check what coverage options are available first. If your car repairs take a long time, renting a car can be very expensive.
In Wisconsin, it may be possible to recover compensation for “loss of use” meaning the period of time that your vehicle is unusable and out of service. This compensation covers the entire period of time that your vehicle cannot be used, and typically ends when your vehicle is declared a total loss.
A car accident can also cause damage to personal property. For example, if your laptop is in a bag in the front seat of your car and you’re hit, the airbags may explode and damage it or it may be shattered by the impact. Replacing damaged valuables should be considered when calculating the total value of your losses.
If you were not at fault for your accident, you may be able to recover compensation for these costs from the at-fault person’s insurance provider – including repair costs, towing and vehicle storage, rental coverage, loss of use, and personal property damage. However, you can also seek recovery from your own insurance policy under your collision coverage. In fact, it may be in your best interest to do so, depending on the specific circumstances of your accident. Additionally, when a car is totaled and the amount owed on the car exceeds the car’s value, a gap insurance policy may be used to cover the difference. Working with a Milwaukee car accident lawyer will help you determine the best path to recovery and reach an acceptable settlement. Natasha Misra Law assists client with the repair or replacement of their vehicles at no additional cost.
If you are at fault, then your compensation will depend on the specifics of your insurance policy, and you may have to pay some out-of-pocket costs. Your insurance rates will also go up, since your insurance provider will have to cover your costs and the costs of the driver you hit. At times, it may be advisable to utilize your collision coverage.
At Natasha Misra Law, we’re here to help victims of car accidents recover the compensation they deserve for property damage, injuries, medical bills, and more. If you’ve been hurt in an accident, contact us online or give us a call to schedule an appointment with one of our Milwaukee car accident lawyers today.
Natasha Misra law is experienced representing injured cyclists. Because cyclists are largely unprotected when up against a motor vehicle, we understand that accidents can cause traumatic and lasting injuries. We work with accident victims to help them recover the compensation they need to recover financially.
Under Wisconsin law, a cyclist’s own negligence does not bar recovery if his negligence was not “greater than the negligence of the person against whom recovery is sought.” Rather, the cyclist’s damages would be reduced in proportion to the extent to which he was negligent.
In other words, if a cyclist was only 40% at fault, then he will still be able to recover up to 60% of his available damages. However, if he was deemed 60% at fault, he would be barred from recovery.
All forms of negligent or reckless driving can cause collisions with bicyclists. However, other causes include:
Defensive driving is the most effective way to avoid a collision with a biker. Maintain the speed limit, pay attention to the road, eliminate distractions, obey all posted signage, yield, obey traffic signals, and let others have the right of way. Above all, always keep a lookout: even if you are doing everything you can and should to stay safe, other drivers - or even cyclists - may not be. Who was doing the “right thing” simply won’t matter if you end up in a lethal collision, so put your pride aside and drive safely, even if someone else is acting reckless.
You should immediately reach out to a personal injury lawyer for guidance on the right steps to take. However, in general, you should also:
My law practice is dedicated to helping people who have suffered injuries in accidents which were not their fault. Born and raised in Milwaukee, I come from a family of medical professionals. My background and experience help me understand and represent individuals injured in accidents.
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