If you were struck by a reckless driver, you can seek compensation for virtually all the losses you incur. Along the way, however, you’re expected to take reasonable measures to mitigate these damages. Otherwise, the at-fault party may be able to put together a sound argument that your harms and losses are not the natural result of the reckless driver’s negligence.
Let’s take a look at some of the most effective ways to lessen your losses in the wake of a wreck:
No matter how much else you have to do, your health should be your priority following a car crash. Even if you don’t feel like you sustained anything more than a few bruises or lacerations, you should undergo a comprehensive exam as soon as possible. Some impact injuries don’t manifest symptoms for hours or even days, so just because you feel relatively fine doesn’t mean you are.
Postponing treatment is one of the most common mistakes car accident victims make. Those who suffer complications because they failed to seek prompt medical care are often have their harm shortchanged or disregarded by insurance companies. This, in turn, reduces the total compensation to which they’re entitled.
Once you do start treatment, follow your doctor’s orders diligently. This might include taking it easy, having friends or loved ones drive you places, and partaking in physical therapy daily.
Ignoring medical advice will open the door for disputes, since you could suffer complications as a result. Much like not seeing a doctor in the first place, disregarding your recovery could constitute a failure to mitigate damages, thereby jeopardizing the strength of your claim.
South Carolina allows car accident claimants to seek compensation for the cost of reasonable and necessary replacement services they needed while recovering from their injuries. The most often cited services include preparing meals, cleaning the house, running errands, and caring for children or pets.
It’s important to keep in mind, however, that while you may be instructed slow down immediately following the crash, becoming increasingly more self-sufficient could facilitate your recovery. As such, you may not actually need to enlist help, or you may not need to do so for very long.
Before hiring someone to assist around the house, talk to your doctor to confirm the extent of your injuries and what you should and should not be doing on a daily basis. In order to recover compensation for delegating various tasks, your physician will likely have to vouch that you were, in fact, instructed to refrain from performing certain tasks.
Were you hit by a drunk, distracted, or drowsy driver while minding your own business? For help holding the reckless party accountable, turn to the tenacious team at Hodge & Langley Law Firm.
Backed by more than 50 years of collective experience, we have what it takes to secure satisfactory payouts for those who have been wronged by others. Call 864-585-3873 or complete the Contact Form on our website to schedule a free initial consultation with a car accident lawyer in South Carolina.
Submission of information in this contact form does not establish an attorney-client relationship. In order to establish such a relationship with our firm we require a direct meeting with the attorney.
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