My Legal Aspirations

For as long as I can remember, the legal field has always fascinated me. While my friends watched sitcoms and cartoons, I chose to watch courtroom dramas and real life trials unfold. There was never really any question as to what I wanted to be when I got older. The only profession for me was that of a trial lawyer. Unfortunately, a serious car accident several years ago changed all that. Now, my injuries prevent me from leaving my home most days. However, my love for the law has never went away. While I may not be able to realize my dreams of becoming a trail lawyer, I still wish to help people with their legal problems. That is why I decided to start this blog. It is my hope that the information contained in these pages will help other accident victims like me when filing their personal injury claims.

Handling Both Personal Injury And Property Damage Cases After An Accident

Blog

Auto accidents usually involve two related, but separate, issues for victims: personal property damage and personal injury. Why are these two cases different? Should they be handled together or as separate issues? And how can you ensure the best outcome? Here are some answers to these vital questions.

How Do Personal Injury and Property Damage Differ?

Although they stem from the same accident, personal injury cases and property damage cases take very different trajectories from then on. Property damage is usually resolved fairly quickly and is generally a straightforward case. The main point of negotiation tends to be establishing a value for the property. With personal injury, though, you often must spend more time proving that the other party is legally responsible for the injury or injuries in the first place. This is often a harder hill to climb. In addition, the pace and goals of both cases call for different approaches. Getting a good value for your property and quickly replacing it or getting it back in service is paramount. However, for personal injury, you usually want to take a slower and more thorough approach. Injuries may not be immediately obvious and their consequences could reach far into the future. 

Should You Pursue Personal Injury and Property Damage Together?

Because they are intertwined, it may make sense to handle these two matters under the same umbrella. You may find that the property damage portion of your case is relatively easy to deal with and can be resolved quickly. In this case, it might not be worth hiring a separate attorney or holding separate negotiations. However, don't allow the matter of personal property damage to take the focus away from a serious personal injury case. As mentioned, physical injuries have more impact on your long-term life and future earning prospects, so they generally take precedence over replacing property. If the property issue is complex—such as if an irreplaceable vehicle was destroyed or the accident involved a building—you may do better to keep it separate so as not to muddle both cases. 

Where Can You Learn More?

The different effects of personal property damage and personal injury can add complexity to your auto accident case. This means your best resource is an experienced personal injury attorney. They will work with you to identify the needs of both sides of your case and help you decide the best way to maximize both of them. Call a local auto accident attorney service today to make an appointment.

Share

15 April 2022