There are many things that you have to think about if you are the victim of a car accident in Washington, such as the hidden car accident costs. Although the most common types of damages are medical bills and car repair costs, there are many other out-of-pocket car accident expenses that may come up. That is why it is essential that you seek legal representation so that you get the compensation you are entitled to.
At NBF Accident Law, our Seattle car accident lawyers are dedicated to providing our clients with the legal representation they need as they navigate car accident claims. Our attorneys will work tirelessly on your behalf to protect your rights, negotiate with insurance carriers, and document evidence of damages.
Common Hidden Costs After a Car Accident
Despite the fact that some of the most common car accident damages are medical bills and car repair costs, the expenses don’t stop there. There are many hidden car accident costs that can quickly add up, significantly impacting your financial situation. This just adds another level of stress to an already stressful situation.
The good news is that any type of damages may make you eligible for a more substantial car accident settlement. Here are some hidden car accident costs to look for when creating your claim.
Lost Wages and Future Earning Potential
The financial impact of a car crash in WA can often stretch to your work, especially if you are injured. This may result in you having to take several days, weeks, or even months off of work, significantly impacting your wages.
Additionally, for more substantial accidents where you sustain long-term injuries or injuries that result in a disability, this can impact your future earning potential.
Emotional and Psychological Distress
No matter the extent of the car accident, these types of accidents can come with emotional damages as well as physical injuries. A car accident can leave you very shaken up and can even cause PTSD, depression, or anxiety. Not only do these conditions negatively impact your quality of life, they can make it difficult for you to maintain your personal responsibilities, such as holding down a job.
Treating emotional and psychological distress can also become quite expensive, especially if you need long-term treatment.
Transportation or Car Rental Fees
When you are involved in a car accident in Seattle, Washington, it is very likely that your car will be significantly damaged. Even for minor crashes, this can result in you not being able to drive your vehicle for quite some time. If this is the case, you may need to pay for other forms of transportation, such as car rental fees, bus fares, etc.
Diminished Car Value
Even if it isn’t your fault and your vehicle wasn’t substantially damaged, being involved in a car accident will significantly diminish your car’s value. If you plan on selling it in the future, this will result in you not being able to get its full value, and it will be harder to find a buyer.
Increased Insurance Premiums
In many situations, simply being involved in a car accident can result in your insurance premiums going up. This is the case even if you were not at fault or you were found to only be a small percentage at fault.
Why These Costs Are Often Overlooked
You may be wondering why these hidden car accident costs are so often overlooked, resulting in them not being included in car accident settlements. Unfortunately, in most situations, this is due to documentation challenges, as there isn’t always a paper trail to document certain types of damages.
In addition to documentation issues, insurance companies will also strategically overlook additional costs to avoid having to pay out a more substantial settlement. That is why it is essential that you hire an auto accident attorney in Washington to represent you and help you gather the evidence you need.
How to Accurately Calculate Total Losses
There is no secret to accurately calculating the extent of your damages after a car accident in Seattle, WA. The only way to go about doing this is to keep all of your relevant financial documents and any records regarding your damages. This can include things like:
- Medical bills
- Auto repair bills
- Car rental bills
- Therapist bills
- Doctor’s notes
- Employer’s notes
- Therapist’s notes
Keeping track of these records will help you to establish your damages when you are filing your car accident claim.
You should also work closely with an auto accident lawyer, especially when it comes to any type of communication with insurance companies. Additionally, you can get the help of a financial expert to more accurately document and prove the extent of your losses from the car accident.
FAQ:
Are emotional damages considered in car accident claims?
Yes, in the state of Washington, emotional damages are considered valid when you are filing a car accident claim.
Can I get reimbursed for the missed work?
Yes, if you had to miss work because of the car accident, you are entitled to receive compensation for any lost wages or lost earnings.
Who pays for rental cars after an accident in Seattle?
In most instances, you can use your insurance policy to cover vehicle rental fees if your vehicle is totaled or unsafe to drive. This is usually the case if you have loss of use coverage in your insurance policy, but you may also get help from your insurance company if you are not at fault for the accident.
Contact an Auto Accident Lawyer at NBF Accident Law
Hidden car accident costs can be quite substantial and are often difficult to document for your car accident claim. Because of this, it is essential that you hire a Seattle car accident lawyer to represent you so that you can prove the extent of the car crash’s financial impact.
At NBF Accident Law, our auto accident lawyers will fight purposefully on behalf of our Washington clients, ensuring you get the compensation you deserve. We can help you every step of the way, from collecting evidence to estimating your damages to negotiating with insurance carriers.
Contact us today at 206-923-8888 to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys.
