According to the National Safety Council (NSC) there has been a slow and steady decline in the number of people hurt and killed in motor vehicle accidents on U.S. roads from 2016 to 2018. But the numbers are still staggering. The NSC estimates that 40,000 people were killed in car crashes in 2018 alone. More alarmingly, approximately 4.5 million people sustained serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents that year.
In reality, even a minor accident or “fender bender” can cause serious head and neck injuries and have lasting ramifications for you and your family. In addition to physical discomfort and mental angst you’ll likely endure, you may have to wait years to collect a monetary settlement. While it is possible to recover from these injuries and return to work, a major injury sustained in a car accident may render you incapable of doing so.
If you were hurt in a car crash and you haven’t been able to work, a car accident loan or pre-settlment funding may help you make ends meet while your case is pending. If you secure this type of financial relief in the form of cash against your settlement, you can use it to pay:
- Medical bills
- Rent
- Your mortgage
- Car payments
- Day-to-day necessities
Qualifying accidents
One aspect of legal funding that makes it so appealing is that there are no restrictions on the types of motor vehicle and traffic-related lawsuits that qualify for auto accident funding. Furthermore, we’ll automatically pre-qualify anyone whose injury stemmed from another’s negligence. This means we’ll probably be able to provide the financial relief you need if you were injured in a:
- Pedestrian accident
- Semi truck / tractor trailer accident
- Bicycle accident
- Motorcycle accident
- Bus accident
- Ride share or taxi accident
- Recreational vehicle accident
- Commercial vehicle accident
We also provide cash for qualified applicants injured in:
- Head-on collisions
- Rear-end collisions
- Parking lot accidents
- Intersection accidents
- Accidents caused by speeding motorists
- Accidents caused by drunk drivers
- Accidents caused by sleepy drivers
- Hit and run accidents
- Accidents involving dangerous road conditions
- Accidents caused by brake failure
- Accidents caused by defective tires
Eligibility
There are basic criteria everyone must meet in order to be eligible for a car accident lawsuit advance. You must be at least 18, be represented by a lawyer, and have a viable legal claim against the person whose negligence caused your injury or his or her insurance company.
Additionally, we cannot estimate the potential value of your settlement unless you incurred certain losses including but not limited to physical harm. This is because the case value is largely based upon the type and extent of these losses. Most importantly, the funding amount is based on the amount of your expected recovery or settlement.
We generally approve fundings for cases commonly associated with car accidents involving:
- Soft-tissue injuries (usually sprains, strains and tears affecting tendons, ligaments and muscles)
- Broken bones
- Head trauma (including traumatic brain injuries)
- Back injuries
- Crush injuries
- Burns
- Disfigurement and scarring (from injuries)
- Loss of limbs or appendages (amputation)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Wrongful death (a loved one’s death)
- Loss of companionship
The benefits of auto accident funding
Pre settlement funding has numerous advantages. Among other things, it offers financial relief and peace of mind for plaintiffs who are struggling to make ends meet while their car accident settlements are pending. Once this burden is lifted, plaintiffs also have greater flexibility and may no longer feel compelled to accept an early, low-ball, settlement offer.
Because pre-settlement funding is not like traditional loans, there is no need for employment checks and credit score is not a factor. In other words, your financial standing does not determine your eligibility for this type of funding. Instead, it is based on the strength of your case.
Once your case is settled, the amount you were funded, along with any applicable charges are paid from your settlement.
Getting started
To find out if you qualify for pre-settlement funding, simply call us or fill out our online application. After we get the basic information about you and your case, we’ll follow up with your lawyer to get the rest of the information we need. Once we have everything, we can come up with an appropriate funding offer. Typically, car accident advances range from $500 to $100,000, depending on the potential settlement amount.
Remember, we are here to help. Because we understand what you’ve been through, you will always be treated with the dignity and respect you deserve. We also take all reasonable efforts to make our application and approval process as quick and simple as possible.
Car Accident Funding FAQs
What makes you different from all of the other pre-settlement funding companies?
To us you are not just a customer, a client, or a plaintiff. We recognize that you’re a person who has been forced to cope with overwhelming circumstances, and we treat you accordingly. Because we understand what you’ve been through, our goal is to make your entire experience with us as simple as possible. This is why we offer a streamlined application and approval process. This is also why we make all reasonable efforts to issue your cash as soon as possible.
How soon can I get my presettlement cash?
This depends on how long it takes to get all of the information we need to approve your application. If we get everything we need straight away, with no complications, we can often provide cash within 24 hours. Unfortunately, it may take longer if we encounter any difficulties getting the information from your attorney.
How do you assess the value of my claim?
To assess the value of a claim, we consider several factors including the type of injuries you sustained and the extent of the financial losses you’ve incurred. Claim value is also assigned based on an assessment of your medical records and history, medical treatments and any other relevant information provided. Finally the viability of your case is also considered. Your claim will be worth more if there is little to no doubt about the defendant’s liability and negligence.
Why should I hire a lawyer?
You must have a lawyer to be eligible for pre-settlement funding. Additionally, having an attorney will help you in presenting the strongest case possible.
How much time do I have to file a car accident lawsuit?
This depends on where you live. Each state has strict deadlines (called the statute of limitations) for initiating legal action in all personal injury cases, including car accident injury cases. Although you can easily find this information yourself, it is always best to contact a qualified personal injury lawyer as soon as you can. He or she will not only be familiar with the statute of limitations in your state, but all of the other important legal deadlines as well.
How is fault determined in a car accident case?
To have a viable car accident lawsuit, there must be sufficient proof that the other driver was careless or reckless and that his/her actions or lack thereof meet the legal standard for negligence. You must also be able to prove that his or her negligence caused or contributed to the accident in which you were hurt. Proof of negligence often includes witness statements, police reports, photographs and so on.
What are my options if the driver who was at fault was uninsured?
Unfortunately, your options are limited unless you have under-insured/ uninsured motorist coverage. This coverage allows you to demand compensation for damages from the uninsured motorist. Many policies also afford coverage to family members and other passengers accompanying you in your vehicle. It is best to carry at least $100,000 of this coverage.
What type of compensation can I get if I was hurt in a car accident?
In general, car accident victims who were hurt as the result of another driver’s negligence can be compensated for:
- Pain and Suffering – the physical discomfort and emotional upheaval that you have experienced, are currently experiencing and may continue to experience as a result the accident.
- Medical Expenses – including past, current and future costs related to treatment of physical injuries and/or psychological trauma associated with your accident.
- Lost Wages – lost income due to your inability to work because of your injuries.
- Disfigurement – permanent changes to your physical appearance caused by the accident.
- Adverse impact on your marriage – including injuries that result in loss of physical intimacy, companionship and affection.
- Criminal negligence – punitive damages are awarded in cases where the accident stemmed from criminal negligence.
- The wrongful death of a loved one – this type of compensation is awarded to the spouse and family members of the deceased and includes reparations, which could include compensation for financial loss, pain and suffering and so forth.
Will my case go to trial?
Most car accident cases are settled before going to court. Sometimes, claims are settled before a lawsuit is filed. But because no two cases are exactly the same, there are no hard and fast rules for if, when, or how they may be settled.
In general, your case is more likely to go to trial if there are questions about the defendant’s liability or the extent of the losses you have incurred. If there is little or no doubt about these issues, your case will probably be settled without going to court.
What is auto accident bodily injury liability coverage?
This is insurance coverage that protects you if you cause a wreck where other people are hurt.
What is auto accident property damage liability coverage?
This is insurance coverage that protects you if you cause an accident that results in damage to someone else’s property.
What is uninsured motorist property damage coverage?
This is insurance coverage that pays for repairs to your vehicle if it was damaged in an accident with an uninsured driver. In other words, if the other driver hits you and he or she doesn’t have insurance, your own policy covers your vehicle repair.
What is uninsured motorists bodily injury coverage?
This is insurance coverage that protects you and your passengers in the event you are hurt in an accident caused by an uninsured motorist.
What is medical payments coverage?
This is insurance that pays for medical expenses incurred by you or your passengers as the result of a car accident regardless of who is to blame. If the accident was your fault, it will pay for medical costs for you or any other passengers in your vehicle up to a pre-specified limit. Medical costs include any relevant treatments not covered by your health insurance.
What is comprehensive coverage?
This is insurance that pays for damages to your vehicle caused by anything other than a collision. Examples include but are not limited to e vandalism, theft and damage due to animals, fire or flood. Keep in mind, however, that you have to choose the deductible based off of what you feel comfortable paying out of pocket.
What is collision coverage?
This insurance pays for repairs to vehicle damage incurred when you hit another car or object, regardless of fault. Keep in mind that you are responsible for payment of the deductible, so the deductible you choose should be what you feel comfortable paying out of pocket. You should also keep in mind that if you have a car loan, this coverage is mandatory.
Who is responsible for payment of towing and storage bills?
The insurance company of the at-fault driver will usually pay for towing and storage costs of your car. However, you are responsible for allaying these damages. If you don’t, you may end up paying the storage fees yourself.
Who is responsible for paying for the rental car while mine is being fixed?
Again, the responsible party must use their insurance to cover this cost. However, depending on specific provisions, you may have to pay the rental car bill first and be reimburse later. Another thing to consider is that you may be able to get a rental car faster if your own insurance policy provides coverage. If so, your insurance company would then seek reimbursement from the other driver’s insurance company.
I still owe the bank for my car but it was declared a total loss. Who gets the money from the insurance company?
In this situation, the insurance company will pay off the car loan first and you’ll get the rest if you are the registered owner.
If you have an older car or a substantial car loan, you may want to consider “gap insurance.” That way you won’t be stuck paying off a car you can’t drive if you have an accident when the amount you owe the bank exceeds the value of the car.
What does someone mean when they accuse me of tailgating?
This term is used to define aggressive or irresponsible driving characterized by following the vehicle in front of you too closely. It is dangerous because the closer you are to the vehicle in front of you, the less likely it is that you’ll be able to keep from hitting it if the driver stops suddenly.
The bottom line
If you were hurt in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, and you are struggling to pay your bills, while your settlement is pending, we are here to help you get the financial relief you need. All you have to do is give us a call or fill out our online application, today.
*Please know, the above information is not intended to serve as or reflect any legal advice. It is in an individuals best interest to contact and consult with an attorney to discuss their particular situation and case.
Oasis provides pre-settlement funding, also known as consumer litigation funding, to its customers through different products depending on their state of residence or cause of action. Many consumers will be provided pre-settlement funding in the form of a purchase agreement, which assigns a portion of the pending proceeds from their legal claim. Other consumers, such as those in SC and CO will be offered a funding in the form of a pre-settlement loan, sometimes referred to as a lawsuit loan. These transactions have important differences, therefore, consumers should carefully review and be aware of the type of transaction that is offered to them by any funding company.