It's not uncommon for large or small animals to cross the road unexpectedly. Often, these incidents lead to crashes that may leave a driver, their passengers, and the animal severely injured. Your vehicle may also be destroyed, costing you thousands of dollars in repairs. The good news is that you can be eligible for reimbursement if it's discovered there was a negligent individual or an organization behind your crash. It's vital to work with a car accident lawyer if you want to secure a maximum settlement or get the best outcome in your case. Here's why you need a lawyer's assistance if you're a victim of an animal collision.
Establishing Fault
Determining the at-fault party in an animal crash can be challenging and depends largely on the type of animal you hit and your coverage. If you run into a wild animal such as a deer, coyote, or large bird, your insurer can compensate you if your vehicle has a comprehensive policy. On the other hand, if the animal is domestic, the owner can be sued for damages.
A lawyer can investigate the cause of your crash and determine liability. They'll go through the local and state laws and find out if animals are required to be on a leash when they're not within the owner's property. If they discover the animal owner was negligent, they'll sue them and fight for your interests.
Filing a Claim
Filing a lawsuit for injuries suffered after colliding with an animal can be pretty challenging. You may need to file a lot of paperwork and fill out several documents that are full of legal language. In fact, if you don't have a legal background, making errors can be quite easy. Fortunately, a lawyer can handle the whole process on your behalf, giving you more time to heal. They'll attach relevant documents to your paperwork and ensure all the details are filled out correctly. This will increase your chances of being reimbursed by your insurer or the animal owner's insurance company.
Calculating Damages
The damages you can suffer after an animal collision is based mainly on the size of the animal you crashed into and the impact of the incident. If the animal was huge, your wounds might be severe. You may also incur head injuries, whiplash, back pain, and brain damage. A lawyer can accurately examine your condition and compute the total amount of your losses to inform you of the settlement to expect and protect you from exploitation.
Contacting a car accident attorney when you hit an animal is vital. They'll help you recover damages and sue the responsible parties.
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