Dover Car Accident Lawyer

If you have recently been involved in a motor vehicle collision and need help securing compensation for the injuries you suffered, get in touch with an experienced Dover car crash lawyer today.

A car wreck is perhaps one of the most difficult accidents someone can experience. Victims of auto accidents suffer tremendous injuries that often take a substantial period of time to recover from. Recuperating means you’ll be unable to work, which can add substantial stress to your life. If the accident was someone else’s fault, you should be able to heal without financial worry.

Luckily, with the help of a Dover car accident lawyer at Barros, McNamara, Malkiewicz & Taylor, you can rest assured that you have a qualified legal ally on your side. We will advocate for your right to compensation that can cover your damages and hold the liable party accountable for his or her negligent actions.

Fault in a Dover Motor Vehicle Collision

More often than not, the driver of the vehicle that struck you is at least partially at fault for the crash. Aggressive driving, fatigued driving, operating the vehicle while intoxicated, and distracted driving are some of the more common practices that result in car crashes in Dover.

Poor judgement by the other driver isn’t the only thing that could have contributed to the wreck, however. Delaware road authorities are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the roads, so if missing street signs, unsecured construction zones, and large potholes cause crashes, a government agency can be named as a defendant in the resulting injury claims.

Additionally, vehicle parts manufacturers and techs who install parts and maintain the safety of the vehicles can be held liable when they fail to issue recalls on parts or knowingly install parts that are defective or not up to industry standards.

If more than one of the above parties has played a part in causing your injuries, your attorney will be sure to include each culpable entity in your claim to make sure you’re fully compensated.

What You Can Expect from the Insurance Company

Dover car accident victims are often surprised to find out that insurance companies aren’t on their side when they need them most. When you file a claim, you expect it to be met with understanding and for the adjuster to work quickly to secure your settlement. Unfortunately, these claims are frequently denied due to the money-hungry nature of insurers.

Working in a revenue-driven industry, insurance companies lose profit by paying out on even the most deserving claims. That means insurance adjusters will do whatever they can to minimize the amount they’ll need to pay you. Delaware decides fault based on modified comparative negligence laws, which means you can expect the insurers to try to blame you for the crash.

They regularly manipulate statements given to them by injured claimants and make them seem as though they hold more liability for the collision than they actually do. Under state law, you can recover your losses with as much as 50 percent liability, but past that, you can’t recover anything. The more at fault you are, the less the insurer and negligent party will be responsible for paying you.

Working with a capable Dover car wreck lawyer who will see insurers’ tactics coming from a mile away can protect you from unwarranted blame at a time when you need support and full compensation.  

The Damages You Can Claim for a Dover Auto Crash

Losses you incur in a motor vehicle collision in Dover can be quite devastating. The person or people liable for your damages should be responsible for covering these expenses. Personal injury claims of this nature generally seek compensation for some or all of the following damages:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of consortium
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Mental anguish
  • Loss of wages
  • Loss of future earning potential
  • Hospital bills
  • Costs of prescription medications
  • Medical equipment
  • Transportation costs to and from doctor visits
  • Adjustments to your home to accommodate medical equipment
  • Copays
  • Physical therapy
  • Cost of replacing or repairing your damaged vehicle

The judge presiding over your case may even determine that an award of punitive damages is appropriate. This is done when the culpable party’s behavior is seen as malicious or egregious and the judge feels that he or she should be punished. Punitive damages often far exceed the original value of the claim and are awarded to deter other individuals from repeating similar behavior.

Your car accident attorney in Dover will be able to give you a realistic idea of the value of your claim after assessing the impact of each of these areas in conjunction with the severity of your injuries. More often than not, you can expect that, the more serious your injury was, the greater your compensation award will be.

Dover Car Accident FAQ

Although there are countless auto accidents in Dover and across Delaware every month, very few individuals understand what’s to come when they’re involved in a collision. This is why we have compiled some of the questions our clients most frequently ask about filing a personal injury claim for a car wreck.

The insurer made me a quick initial settlement offer. Should I accept?

It’s ultimately your decision as to whether you should accept the insurance company’s offer. It’s likely that, if the insurer made you an offer quickly, it has less to do with wanting you to have access to your settlement and more to do with minimizing the amount it has to settle for. Insurers typically make swift offers when they see the value of a claim and hope to avoid paying it in full.

I’m not sure I can afford a lawyer. How much do you charge?

Our firm works with clients based on what’s known as an attorney contingency fee. This means we will work together to reach an agreement about what percentage of your winnings will be used as payment, and in return, we will not charge you until or unless we are able to win compensation for you. If we don’t win, you don’t pay.

What happens if the driver who hit me is uninsured?

In Delaware, drivers must carry uninsured motorist coverage on their auto policy. This coverage protects you with your own policy up to the limitations you’ve chosen for damages like medical expenses and vehicle repairs. If we hope to recover other types of damages, we will bring a personal injury claim directly against the uninsured driver. Your Dover car crash attorney can help you see the way forward.

Consult with a Dover Car Accident Attorney

Suffering a severe injury in a collision caused by the carelessness of another person is a challenge in and of itself. Adding the financial pressures of being unable to work can make recovery nearly impossible. But by contacting a knowledgeable attorney at Barros, McNamara, Malkiewicz & Taylor, you’ll be able to move forward with reclaiming your life.

A Dover car accident lawyer from our firm will work diligently to establish who is liable for your losses and determine the realistic value of your claim. Schedule your free claim evaluation today by filling out the quick contact form below or simply reaching us in the office at 302-734-8400.