All types of things can contribute to a car crash. If you got hurt in a collision and believe that another driver is at fault, their insurer is bound to do anything that they can to muddy the waters and blame you for what happened. If you weren’t wearing a seatbelt, for example, they may try to claim that you are to blame for your own injuries. Matters like this aren’t that simple though, and a San Angelo, Texas car accident lawyer from our firm can help you push back against this argument.
What Kinds of Damages Can I Recover After a Car Crash?
You shouldn’t just be reimbursed for the financial costs of your crash. A fair compensation offer should also help address the toll that these events have taken on your mental health. It’s not always easy to recover from injuries suffered in a crash, so we fight for compensation that helps make up for:
- Medical expenses, including psychological care
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Loss of enjoyment
- Pain and anguish
- PTSD, anxiety, and other mental health issues
Unfortunately, even if the insurer is ready to pay out, they still might try to use your lack of seatbelt against you.
Will My Compensation Be Affected If I Wasn’t Wearing a Seatbelt?
Not wearing a seatbelt won’t cause a crash. Even the boldest insurer won’t try to argue that forgetting to buckle up means that you helped cause a collision. However, what they can argue is that your lack of seatbelt made the crash more dangerous. In short, you were also negligent and this negligence led to you sustaining more serious injuries.
This can be a problem. If you are partly at fault for your own injuries, then the insurer can get away with awarding less in compensation. We will help you show that your serious injuries would have been just as serious if you were buckled up.
Do I Need a Lawyer If I Wasn’t Wearing a Seatbelt?
The insurance company you’re going up against is going to have lawyers, so it’s usually recommended that you have a lawyer yourself. An experienced personal injury lawyer can be especially helpful in a case like this, where you are being accused of wrongdoing or fault because you didn’t wear a seatbelt.
It’s tough to prove negligence on your own. It’s even tougher to do that while showing that you were not at fault at all and that you should get your full compensation. An attorney can help you build a stronger case and defend yourself from any accusations of wrongdoing so that your awarded damages are not reduced.
Schedule a Case Consultation
If you were in a car crash and you think that you are owed compensation, we want to meet with you. Contact the Mathis Law Firm to schedule a free case consultation. If there’s a chance to recover damages, we’re ready to fight for you.
