What Kind of Damages May You Claim for Car Accident Injuries

Injuries from car accidents can be very difficult to overcome, and we’re not just talking about physical and psychological damages but also financial ones. People who have been involved in a car accident need to file a compensation claim for personal injuries due to someone else’s fault.

Many people don’t understand their rights as accident victims, and they often may agree to an out-of-court agreement. Below we’ll go through some of the basic types of damages that a person injured in a car accident may be entitled to.

However, keep in mind that consulting with an attorney is always the best choice. You can, for example, visit Kreeger law website to find more detailed information about what kind of claim you should pursue against the responsible party, and also learn about some special situations that require competent representation.

Medical Expenses

People involved in car accidents may suffer from minor to severe injuries, and payment of medical expenses while recovering is a primary concern. Medical expenses make up a large portion of financial damages in a car accident claim, and they include doctor and hospital charges, a need for special equipment, physical therapy, medication, among others.

A car accident attorney can help you determine the number of medical expenses and advise you to keep a record of all medical bills, as well as documentation of the diagnosis, and interaction with doctors and other medical staff. This will help you greatly with your claim.

Pain and Suffering

The compensation claim for pain and suffering depends on the degree of physical damages sustained due to the accident. In some states, you can also claim emotional and mental distress as non-physical suffering. These types of claims refer to your need for psychological counseling to work through any trauma you might have from the accident like anxiety or depression.

Determining a just amount that should be paid, a person must consider the nature of the accident and the extent of injuries and trauma that they have suffered. Also, some states allow the plaintiff to include pain and suffering damages as a general loss of enjoyment of life.

Loss of Consortium

When an accident victim is left suffering from a condition that prevents them from having a normal relationship with their spouse, the spouse can file a damages claim for loss of consortium.

Also, if the accident victim dies as a result of their injuries, surviving family members may claim loss of companionship. For this type of claim the jury considers whether the deceased had a harmonious and loving relationship with the plaintiff, and the general impact of the victim’s death on the surviving family members.

Property Damages

When you’re in an accident, your vehicle is obviously damaged but sometimes other property, such as the possessions inside the vehicle, can also be damaged. With this type of damage, the plaintiff can seek compensation through a property damage claim. This type of claim can be settled separately from the bodily injury claim so that the victim can purchase a new vehicle or replace other personal property that they may have lost in the accident.
Photographs of your car at the scene of the accident as well as photographs of any other property damaged by the collision can be used to prove this type of damage. You can also consider securing a witness testimony about the accident.

Lost Wages

When an accident victim is unable to work due to injuries sustained from the accident, they are missing out on wages and opportunities for career advancement. Both of these are considered when determining appropriate compensation for your lost wages. You must prove that the injuries have diminished or impaired your ability to earn money in the future, and a jury will consider factors such as age, skill, occupation, experience, and life expectancy.

Hiring an experienced injury lawyer will help you calculate future wages and earnings losses. Also, a work excuse note from your doctor will be necessary to connect the time missed to your injuries. In the case where the person is left permanently disabled, the calculations for future income losses or reductions in earning may be more complex.

In Closing

If you or someone you care about is a victim of a car accident, you don’t have to face the fight alone. Contacting an experienced injury lawyer will give you peace of mind and will help you determine the type of damage claim you should seek. Always consider the help of legal professionals, especially in the case of a car accident.