Property damages is a category of economic damages that may be recovered through personal injury claims. Property damage claims are often handled separately from your injury claims and will include damage to your automobile and to anything inside the car that was damaged. For example, if the car was rear-ended and items in the trunk were destroyed, your property damage claims would include the value of these items.
The Trouble With Being Adequately Compensated for Property Damage Claims in Tulsa
People are often under-compensated for damage to their personal property due to the fact that there is often a disparity between the real value of personal property and it’s perceived value in the eyes of the law.
To illustrate, if you were to buy a car for $20,000, the minute you drive it off the lot, it’s perceived value in the eyes of the law may very well be reduced to only $15,000. If you are then in an accident in which the car is totaled, you will be only able to recover a $15,000 loss, $5000 less than its real value to you.
If your car is damaged but not totaled, you would have a right to recover the full cost to have it repaired, plus the diminution of its value. However, while you will have bills to establish the cost of having your car repaired, it will require expert testimony to establish how much value your car has lost due to the fact that it was involved in an accident.
If the cost to repair your car exceeds what its perceived value is in the eyes of the law, all you can recover is this perceived value of the car, regardless of how much more you may have actually paid for it.
As you can see, property damage claims are complicated and are a big hassle. In addition, because you may need to hire an expert to give testimony as to the real value of your car, property damage claims can be expensive.
Why You Need An Attorney for Property Damage Claims In Tulsa
You don’t have to hire attorney to help you handle a property damage claim, as this may cost more than your car is worth. However, if you feel that you are being treated unfairly or if you have any doubts about your property damage claims, you may benefit from consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney.
Personal injury attorneys have relationships with certified and proven experts who can fairly evaluate your property and testify to its true value. An experienced personal injury attorney will know both the old and new tricks that insurance companies use to devalue your property damage claim, and an attorney can make sure that you are treated fairly to receive the maximum amount possible, under the law, for your property damage claim.
Free Case Consultation: Call Today
If you have suffered damages to your person or property in a car wreck that was someone else’s fault, contact the Personal Injury Law Office of Tulsa. For a free consultation and car accident case evaluation, call Personal Injury Law Office of Tulsa today. Contact your personal injury counselor at (918) 924-5528, toll free at (888) 447-7262 or send us a question using the form on the right side of this page.
