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DO YOU HAVE A CASE?

If you have been involved in any kind of an accident, you must decide whether you should make a claim. This decision can be hard. However, considering a few key factors can make it easier. These factors are fault, damages and collectibility. Here is a brief explanation of each:

• Fault. For you to win your claim, a person or business must be at fault. This means they did something wrong or failed to do something. In most states, you can make a claim even if you were partly at fault for the accident. Your recovery will just be reduced by the amount of your fault. For example, if your losses are $10,000 and you are 20% at fault, your award will be reduced by 20%, or $2,000.

   

• Damages. To get an award of money, you must have suffered damage. When analyzing your damages, remember that damages can cover a variety of things, including your medical expenses, money you lost because you had to miss work, and your pain and suffering.

   

• Collecting Your Award. If the other party will be able to pay for the damage that they caused, then you should seriously consider making your claim. Even if they do not have a lot of money, they may still have insurance, property or other assets. Also, a third party (such as an employer) may be liable, too.