Getting into a car accident is bad enough as it is, but things are only made worse when the vehicle that you are in catches fire. Not only can this completely destroy your vehicle, but you may suffer from burns or other damages as a result of the accident. If someone else is to blame for the crash and subsequent fire, then you may have a legal case on your hands. By consulting with a car-accident attorney, you can break down different elements of the case and specifically how the car fire has impacted your life. By understanding these different aspects, you can provide evidence and information that makes a huge difference in your case. Go through each of these impacts and then use the information to open up communication between yourself and a legal representative.
Items in the Vehicle
Along with the complete loss of the vehicle, there may have been a number of items in the vehicle that can be claimed as part of your settlement case. By calculating these different items, you have the ability to get full value through them as an attorney helps negotiate a settlement. Some of the first items to consider are any vehicle upgrades that you have had installed. GPS units, radios, speakers, and seats are just a few of the items that can increase the value of your vehicle. Receipts and proof of purchase can help showcase that these items were damaged.
A number of personal items may also need to get replaced. For example, if a wallet or purse was destroyed, then you may have fees associated with replacements for licenses, social security cards, credit cards, and personal checks. An auto-accident attorney can help you add up all of these fees and make them a part of your settlement case.
Pyrophobia and Driving Conditions
Being stuck in a car fire can be traumatizing. The smoke and flames alone can lead to problems like claustrophobia and pyrophobia. These emotional impacts can become a part of your daily life. It can make it hard for you to be around specific situations. Along with these emotional damages, there may be costs associated with therapy sessions that help you overcome these fears.
It may also be hard for you to get behind the wheel of a car again. If this is the case, then there could be additional costs associated with the use of public transportation. This includes taxi rides, bus rides, or a personal driving service like Uber. All of these costs can quickly add up to huge expenses. These expenses would have been avoided if your were not involved in the car accident. An attorney can help prove this in your settlement case and get you the proper compensation.
Healing from Burns and Decreased Quality of Life
One of the more common injuries associated with a car fire is severe burns to the body. Healing from these burns could takes or weeks or months depending on how severe they are. Along with covering medical costs, a liable driver may be held responsible for any changes in your quality of life. With burns and scars, it may be hard for you to go out in public and participate in activities that you normally took a part in. For example, if you rented a beach house every summer, it may be too emotionally traumatizing for you to go out on the beach and bare your skins and scars. It can also be hard to do daily tasks like grocery shopping, picking up your children from school, and socializing with friends. All of these factors can be considered for your case and become a part of the settlement agreement.
As you heal, a lawyer can help you through the rest of a settlement process. Making the first appointment is the first step in getting compensation for the terrible crash that you were involved in.
