Depending on the specifics of your car accident case, filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver may be your best option.
After being involved in a car accident, you may be left with injuries, including whiplash, and expensive medical bills, and damaged property. If the other driver was at fault, their insurance company should cover the cost of your damages. However, sometimes the insurance settlement may not be enough to cover the cost of your damages. In these cases, you may be able to sue the other driver personally depending on the circumstances of your case.
What Does It Mean to Sue The At-Fault Driver Personally?
When you file a lawsuit against another driver after an accident, this is called a personal injury lawsuit. If the court finds it in your favor, the other driver will be required to pay you damages. These damages can cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
When Can You Sue the At-Fault Driver Personally After an Accident?
There are a few situations where suing the other driver may be your best option.
The Insurance Settlement Is Too Low
If your insurer only offers you a fraction of what you need to treat and recover from your injuries, you may have no choice but to sue in order to get the compensation you need to cover your expenses. An experienced St. Louis car accident attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Your Medical Bills Are Too High
If you were seriously injured in the accident and have astronomical medical bills, you will need compensation to move forward. Your health insurance will most likely cover some of your medical expenses, but it generally will not cover them all. If you have health insurance with a high deductible, you’ll be responsible for paying that before your coverage kicks in. This means that even if you have insurance, you could still owe a lot of money out of pocket. In this case, it may make sense to file a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver to recover some of those expenses.
You Are Not At Fault
If it’s obvious that the other driver was at fault for the accident and they’re refusing to accept responsibility, then a personal injury lawsuit might be your best option. For example, if they were drunk driving or speeding at the time of the accident, there’s a good chance they will deny any responsibility for what happened. If this is the case and their insurance company refuses to pay out on your claim, then taking them to court may be your only option.
No one wants to deal with the stress and hassle of going to court, but sometimes it’s necessary to get the compensation you deserve after an accident. If you’re considering filing a personal injury lawsuit, consult with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney first so they can help you determine what your best options are to obtain compensation after a car accident.
Speak With a St. Louis Car Accident Attorney
If you’ve been injured in an accident and need help securing the compensation that is rightfully yours, contact The Hoffman Law Firm! Our St. Louis car accident attorneys have over 20 years of experience and are here to help!