If you've recently been victimized by a car accident that was another driver's fault, you'll have a series of questions that you'll need answers for. Below are three of the most common.  The at-fault driver's insurance will cover me, right? 

In most cases, yes. But there are caveats to keep in mind. First, you'll probably be the party responsible for obtaining the at-fault driver's insurance information. Then you'll have to file a claim with their insurance carrier. Their carrier's job is to protect their interests as much as financially possible. This means that they'll take you to task with proving the damages you're requesting compensation for.  And while in most cases, you'll receive some sort of compensation, it's not unusual for the at-fault driver's insurance carrier to deny your claim. This is where direction and guidance from an auto accident attorney could assist you greatly. Your auto accident lawyer will help you to:  - Avoid legal loopholes that set you up for failure

- Interpret contractual legalese that works against you while filing your claim

- Inventory all of the documentation you'll need if you hope to win your insurance claim

- Protect you against any acts of corporate politics or bullying

You'll have plenty to deal with. There's the responsibility of restoring your vehicle and depending upon how bad the accident was, you'll need to restore your physical and emotional health. Speaking of your health ...

Can I sue the at-fault driver for my medical bills? 

Whether or not you can sue the at-fault driver for your medical bills depends upon whether or not you live in (or the accident took place in ) what's known as a no-fault driver state. To clarify, the no-fault driver rule will determine whether you'll need to sue the at-fault driver, instead of simply filing a claim with your insurance carrier.  It's a lot easier for you if you live in a no-fault driver state. This means that a lot of the burden of proving your claim will be eliminated. Still, your insurance carrier might not provide you with adequate compensation. Your auto accident attorney can provide guidance that will ensure that even your own insurance carrier is compensating you with the maximum amount of money that your claim calls for. 

Can I sue the at-fault driver for punitive damages? 

The answer is very nuanced. In a typical car accident case, you won't be able to file for compensation damages. However, if the damages caused by the other driver are above and beyond, then you might have a case for punitive damages. These would include aspects such as lost time from work, mental anguish, and pain or suffering. These would include damages above and beyond what an insurance carrier would cover. You'd definitely need to sit down with an auto accident attorney to discuss your alternatives. 

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