The first thing that most people are concerned about after an automobile accident is their injuries, and rightfully so. When you are hurt, whether your injuries are severe or minor, it is only natural to wonder how long you will be affected by them, and what you can expect during the process of recovery. Once you have been examined by a doctor and your injuries have been treated, you may begin to wonder about something else – your car.
The most urgent question that you are likely to have about your car after your accident is whether it can be repaired or whether it will have to be replaced. Insurance companies decide whether to pay for repairs based upon what the most financially advantageous course of action is for them. Sometimes, estimates will place the cost to the insurance company of fixing your vehicle as greater than its fair market value. At this point, it is more cost effective for the insurance company to reimburse you for the loss of your vehicle than to pay to fix it. In this type of situation, the insurance company will tell you that your vehicle is “totaled”, which means that it has been rendered a total loss.
Determinations of whether it is feasible to repair a vehicle involve estimated costs of repair and the fair market value. It is important that drivers understand what fair market value means, for that reason. A vehicle’s fair market value is the amount that a buyer could expect to pay for a similar vehicle in your geographic area. Fair market value incorporates factors like the condition of the car, its age, mileage, and features. Resources like the Kelley Blue Book, the local newspaper or online car buying websites all offer calculators for fair market value that vehicle owners can use to check the value of their car at any given time.
If the insurance company decides to fix your car, you get to decide where the car will be repaired, as long as you choose a licensed repair shop. This ensures that you can choose a repair shop which is conveniently located near where you live or work, and that you can use a mechanic that you trust, if you have built a relationship with a mechanic or shop over the years. The insurance company may even pay other costs, like a portion of sales tax, tag fees, registration fees, and storage and towing costs.
After your injuries have been attended to, it is time to address the issue of what will happen to your vehicle. Your car is an important part of your daily life, and it is important for you to get back on the road as soon as you are physically and emotionally ready to do so. Unfortunately, insurance companies can be slow to make decisions about what they will do about damaged vehicles. Getting an attorney involved can help to move the process along. A Kansas Personal Injury Attorney can help you to recover both physically and financially from your accident. To learn more about how a Kansas Personal Injury Attorney can help you to obtain the settlement that you deserve, please call our Wichita office today at (316) 264-1548.