A car accident can have far-reaching consequences. In addition to disrupting your plans, it can also leave you with injuries and damages that are worth a lot of dollars. But you don’t have to spend all that money if the accident is as a result of someone else’s negligence or careless acts because the law allows you to seek compensation for your damages.
However, since the process isn’t always as straightforward as it sounds, it’s a good idea to consult with a Louisville personal injury lawyer, who will look into your case and advice you on the best course of legal action to take. But for your insights, we will mention the recoverable damages in a car accident lawsuit.
Understanding compensatory damages
In almost all auto collision cases, the costs that the victim incurs – whether the person was a driver, passenger, pedestrian, or a cyclist – are categorized as “compensatory damages.” These are damages meant to compensate the victim for all the losses originating from the accident, including:
- Lost wages
- Future lost earnings
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Medical costs, including present and future expenses
In addition to compensatory damages, a car accident victim may also receive punitive and general damages. General damages are not usually linked to a dollar amount and consists of things like a shortened life expectancy, pain and suffering, and mental anguish. Punitive damages, on the other hand, are issued to punish the defendant for his or her actions.
Recoverable damages in a car accident lawsuit
Lost wages
In a car accident claim, lost wages is the amount you’d have earned from your work from the time you were involved in an accident to the date of judgment or settlement. These damages are meant to compensate you for the wages you would have earned if you went to work, but you couldn’t since you were getting medical help or recovering from the injuries you sustained from the accident.
Medical expenses
Severe injuries attract hefty medical bills. Your medical expenses account for a larger portion of the damages to which you are entitled. If you owe the physician a significant amount for the services rendered, you will seek substantial damages. While at this, you should also factor in future medical costs, especially if the injuries are long term and need on-going or treatment of significant rehabilitation.
Property damage
You may also be awarded damages for repair or replacement of any property destroyed in the collision. Car damage, for instance, is a common happening in personal injury cases. On top of the repair and replacement costs, you may also recover damages to the property contained in the vehicle along with compensation for getting an alternative means of transport.
Pain and suffering
This refers to any emotional and physical stresses resulting from an injury, but may also include discomfort and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Pain and suffering may cover damages like aches, potential shortening of life, scarring, depression, and temporary or permanent limitation on activity.
