The types of damages you can recover following a car accident depend on the expenses and losses you incurred. In general, you can likely seek and secure economic and non-economic damages. Some cases could qualify for punitive damages. However, these are rare in car accident cases.
In some auto cases you can work out a deal yourself if your injuries are light or you just have a property damages claim. Working with a car accident lawyer may be in your best interests, however, particularly if your damages are significant or you have concerns about your health in the future.
Retaining an attorney to ensure you don’t overlook any damages available after a crash may be the best move for you. A Baltimore car accident lawyer will help you document your damages and fight for the money you deserve based on your case’s facts.
Types of Damages Potentially Available in a Collision and Injury Case
Auto accidents often leave victims with serious injuries, expenses, and losses. In most states, accident victims can seek fair compensation to cover the costs they incurred. Punitive damages are occasionally available in a car accident case, but this is rare. Generally, victims can recover:
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the current and future expenses and financial losses accident victims suffer. To recover fair compensation for these damages, they must identify and document their costs to date and work with experts to understand their future expenses. Some examples of economic damages include:
- Medical bills
- Ongoing or future medical treatment and care costs
- Income losses based on missed work
- Diminished earning ability if they cannot return to their job
- Car repair or replacement
- Repair or replacement of other personal property damaged in the crash
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are intangible. They do not have a monetary value, making them subjective. Insurance companies, personal injury lawyers, and others must use their experience with previous cases and accepted norms to assign a fair value to non-economic losses. Some examples of these damages include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disabilities or scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish
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Documenting Damages in a Car Accident Case
Many motor vehicle accident victims do not give much thought to documenting their damages. They think they will just need to save medical bills and receipts and add the expenses together.
However, this overlooks significant expenses and losses and will not help them recover the money they need for their future care.
Gathering documentation is crucial. You will need paperwork showing:
- Your medical expenses and all related costs
- Your missed pay
- Your car repair or replacement cost
- Other accident-related expenses, such as transportation to medical appointments or home modification expenses necessitated by your injuries
However, this is not all. You will also need to document your estimated future care costs and expenses. The best way to do this is by working with experts who can review your medical records and other documents to determine your needs.
Working with an auto accident lawyer is the best way to ensure you value your personal injury claim accurately and seek fair compensation based on a full picture of the costs and losses you endured—and will continue to endure in the future.
Personal injury lawyers have experience managing this process and have access to a network of experts who can help you better understand and document your future needs.
How to Recover Fair Compensation After a Car Crash Injury
There are generally two ways car accident victims can recover compensation after a crash. Your auto accident attorney will advise you on the best approach based on your case’s facts and the possible outcomes.
You could receive fair compensation for your collision case through:
A Negotiated Insurance Settlement
Most car accident cases do not go to court. Instead, victims receive payouts from the at-fault driver’s auto insurance provider after negotiating a settlement. There are several reasons why this outcome might be better for victims, including being quicker and less expensive.
However, it is not possible to recover a fair payout and recoup full losses through an insurance claim in every case. When this happens, your attorney might approach you to discuss taking your case to trial to seek the money you need and deserve.
A Personal Injury Trial
Taking a car accident case to a judge or jury usually takes longer and requires you to hand over control of your case to someone else to make the final decision. It is often worth it, though.
Juries can award compensation to crash victims, including punitive damages, if the at-fault party deliberately injured you or exhibited extreme recklessness.
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The Role of a Car Accident Lawyer in a Claim or Lawsuit
When you hire a car accident attorney to manage your case, you do not have to worry about anything. You can focus on healing and returning to your previous activities while your attorney handles the entire legal process.
They will investigate the accident, identify the liable party or parties, document your damages, negotiate with the liable party’s insurance company, and fight for the financial compensation you need and deserve.
Automobile accident attorneys also understand the laws that could affect your recovery. For example, some states have caps on non-economic or punitive damages in these cases. Your lawyer can explain how this could affect your total payout.
Seek help from a car accident attorney near you as soon as possible after your crash. Enlist their help and let them manage your case. They can identify the recoverable damages in your case and develop a strong argument to secure compensation. This is the best way to ensure you seek the full range of damages you deserve in your case.
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Discuss Your Car Accident Case With Our Legal Team for Free
Jenner Law provides free, confidential consultations for car accident victims throughout the United States. We can review your case’s facts and guide your next steps. Let us assess your case to determine how our lawyers can help you seek car accident damages.
Contact us today for your free initial consultation with our car accident team.
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