Car accidents range from minor to incredibly serious depending on the location, the speed of the drivers, and how the accident occurred. Anyone who is the victim of an accident that was not their fault may be entitled to compensation for their injuries. Some of the types of damages they may be able to recover after a car accident include the following.
Medical Expenses
The biggest type of compensation seen by law firms like the Hughey Law Firm is likely medical expenses. In minor car accidents, this is often limited to a thorough medical exam and any immediate medical concerns. For more serious injuries, it could include a stay in the hospital, emergency services, surgeries, and more.
Future Medical Expenses
Depending on the severity of the victim’s injuries, they may require continued medical care far into the future. For injuries that will last a significant amount of time or that are permanent, future medical expenses can often be obtained through compensation from the at-fault driver. When filing a claim, it is recommended to seek the expertise of a motor vehicle accident lawyer Detroit (or anywhere more relevant) to ensure that you are being properly represented to maximize your chances of receiving compensation.
Property Damage
Property damage includes any damage to the vehicles involved in the accident. If the victim’s vehicle is damaged, the property damages cover what needs to be paid to repair the vehicle to the condition it was in before the accident. If the vehicle is considered to be totaled, property damage will cover the cost to replace the vehicle based on the fair market value. The total cost for property damage can vary, but in 2013, the average was a little over $3,000.
Lost Wages
Those who are victims in a car accident will likely need to miss at least some work while they recover from their injuries and handle everything related to the car accident. This is another type of damages the victim can seek to recover from the liable party. The amount here depends on the victim’s pay rate and the amount of work they had to miss.
Loss of Earning Capacity
After serious accidents, the victim may not be able to work at all again or may not be able to work in the same position they were in before the accident occurred. If their income is lowered due to their injuries, or they can no longer work, they may be able to obtain money to cover the lost wages in the future.
Pain and Suffering
While expenses like medical bills and lost wages are easy to determine, the amount of money that can be obtained due to pain and suffering is a little more difficult. Pain and suffering damages cover any non-tangible expenses following the accident, such as the need to seek counseling before being able to drive again.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
If someone is permanently injured because of a car accident, their life may be drastically changed, and they may not be able to do everything they could do before the accident. This is what is covered under the loss of enjoyment of life damages. Though it is hard to put a dollar amount on the difference in the person’s quality of life, they can get some compensation for the changes they go through as a result of the accident.
Being in a car accident can lead to significant expenses and other issues for the victim. However, they may be entitled to compensation for the types of damages listed here and others. Speak with a car accident attorney today if you’ve been in a car accident and learn about the compensation you may be able to obtain.