When would an accident victim in Yuma need to bring an injury lawsuit instead of filing an insurance claim?
Yuma, AZ – All drivers are required to have some kind of basic protection through auto insurance. However, the liability coverage that is required is meant for the purposes of protecting the driver from being sued by others if they cause damage. It does not financially protect the driver when they need to pay for medical treatment and vehicle repairs. While there are more extensive coverage options available, it may be necessary to take legal action in some situations, regardless of the driver’s particular insurance policy. These matters should all be discussed with a local lawyer, then the accident victim can decide on a course of action.
The coverage is not applicable to the damage
There may be situations where insurance coverage simply does not apply to the situation. This can be due to the specifics of a policy, the type of loss or damage at issue, or other problems. Drivers should always be aware of the fact that their policy or the policies of the other drivers involved may not necessarily be helpful in every accident. There is also the possibility that the insurance company can make a mistake and deny coverage in these situations, even if there is a relevant policy available.
Serious accidents that exceed policy limits
Most insurance policies will cover damage into the tens of thousands of dollar amounts, but not beyond these amounts. This is because all policies have coverage limitations, and the provider does not have an obligation to pay more than the amount dictated by the terms of the policy.
If someone has sustained a life changing injury such as paralysis or brain damage, it is possible that their costs can reach into the hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. The only way to realistically cover these amounts is to try to sue the defendant and see if a settlement can be reached or ask a jury to award the amount if the case has to go to trial.
Damages are unique to lawsuits
Personal injury lawsuits allow the plaintiff to collect economic damages, non-economic damages, and even punitive damages in some cases. This tends to allow for much more thorough financial help than a person would receive by merely filing an insurance claim. The lawyer for the victim can argue for any amount necessary through these types of damages to cover all of the plaintiff’s losses.
Meeting with an injury attorney in Arizona
Schneider and Onofry is a personal injury practice that focuses on assisting local clients in the Yuma area. Their attorneys are available to assist anyone who needs to speak with a legal professional about compensation or other issues after an accident.
Firm contact info:
207 W. 2nd St., Yuma AZ 85364
928-257-4887
soarizonalaw.com
