As many as 13 car crashes occur in the United States every minute. These incidents cost the U.S. economy hundreds of billions of dollars yearly. In 2020 alone, their economic burden reached a staggering $474 billion!
Part of that massive financial burden goes toward medical expenses and property damage. The costs associated with a car accident lawsuit are also significant contributors.
Fortunately, many car accident expenses, including unexpected ones, are reimbursable.
So, if you or a loved one has been in a car crash, you must learn what those reimbursable costs are. This way, you can all account for them when seeking compensation.
This guide details those expenses and how to get reimbursed, so read on.
1. Court Filing Fee
A court filing fee is the amount you must pay the court to start your car accident lawsuit. For example, in the Middle District of Florida, it costs $402 to file a civil action.
So, if you file a civil action in Tampa, prepare to pay that amount for filing a lawsuit alone.
2. Hiring a Process Server
Once you’ve filed a lawsuit with the court, you must serve the person you’re suing with the documents. However, someone else who’s “impartial” to the case must do the serving.
Impartial parties are those without any ties to the court case. A perfect example is a process server. Hiring one may cost you at least $100.
3. Acquiring Medical Records
Car accident injuries come with economic costs amounting to thousands of dollars. More severe cases even result in hundreds of thousands of dollars. Thus, victims of someone else’s negligence deserve compensation for such expenses.
You can recover damages for your medical bills if you win your car accident lawsuit. But to achieve this, you must prove the other driver’s negligence caused your injuries. This is something your medical records can help with.
Medical records cost money, though. For instance, they can be $1 to $2 per page in Florida.
4. Getting Copies of Police Reports
Police reports are vital in determining fault and assessing damages in crashes. Therefore, they can help shape the outcome of your car accident lawsuit. And like everything else in this list, they’re not free; in Tampa, for instance, ordering a copy online costs $12.
5. Taking Witness Depositions
Suppose you’ve already sought legal services at this point. Your lawyer will likely talk to witnesses and take their depositions.
Depositions are witnesses’ sworn out-of-court testimonies. Your lawyer can use them to gather information during your case’s discovery process. Your attorney may also use them in court if they take your case to trial.
Depending on the witness, each deposition may cost a few hundred dollars. This can go up to thousands if they’re an expert witness. Expert witnesses may include the doctors who treated your car accident injuries.
6. Unexpected Car Repairs
Even if you’ve only been in a seemingly minor rear-end crash, the damage it caused could be much worse. These may include a weakened frame, misaligned wheels, and transmission or suspension issues. All these can result in surprisingly hefty repair bills.
7. Non-Vehicle Property Damage
A motor vehicle collision can damage more than just your car; it can also destroy stuff you have on your ride. These include expensive electronic gadgets, tools, equipment, or instruments in your vehicle. Repairing these items can cost you hundreds, even thousands of dollars.
8. Medical Insurance Deductibles
Most auto insurance coverages, including personal injury protection (PIP), have deductibles. It’s the amount you must pay out-of-pocket before your insurance kicks in to cover the rest.
Suppose the crash you’ve been in resulted in you needing medical services amounting to $10,000. Your PIP covers them but has a $2,000 deductible. In this case, you must shoulder the $2,000 first before your insurance pays the rest.
9. Deductibles for Covered Car Repairs
As with PIP, insurance coverage for car repairs also comes with deductibles. Again, you must pay for this before your insurer covers the rest.
For instance, your now-damaged car will cost you $6,500 to repair. You have a $1,000 deductible, though. In this scenario, you’ll only receive $5,500 from your insurer since you’d need to cover the other $1,000.
10. Mental Health Treatment
Car crash victims can suffer mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder. They may also develop phobias, anxiety, or depression. Although treatable and manageable, treating such problems can cost thousands of dollars.
Getting Reimbursed Through a Car Accident Lawsuit
Lawsuits can be expensive, but if your attorney wins yours, you can get reimbursed for all its costs.
Your lawyer won’t stop at that, either. They’ll also do their best to recover the highest possible compensation. Depending on your case, this may include economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
Economic damages include the financial losses that result from your car crash. These may include medical expenses, property damage, and lost wages or income. It may also cover your legal costs, such as court filing and attorney fees.
Non-economic damages compensate you for the incident’s emotional toll on you. They may be for your pain and suffering, emotional distress, or decreased quality of life.
Punitive damages serve as punishment for a defendant. Courts may require this from defendants who’ve acted in particularly egregious behavior. An example is if the driver who caused the crash was driving while severely intoxicated.
The best way to determine if you have a case is to schedule a free lawyer consultation. The lawyer will assess your car accident claim and determine if it’s court-worthy. They’ll also advise you on how much your case is worth.
Reach Out to a Lawyer Now
A car accident lawsuit can easily cost you thousands of dollars. However, if you have a strong case, it may be worth several times that.
So, if you or a loved one has been in a crash somebody else caused, consider hiring a lawyer ASAP. The sooner you do, the sooner you can start the legal process.
Our highly experienced attorneys here at RHINO Lawyers can fight for your rights. They can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us now to learn about our professional legal services and how we can assist you!
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.RHINO.77.
