What Type of Compensation Can You Seek After a Car Accident?
Posted on 20th June 2023
If you are injured in a car accident, you could claim compensation. Here are the different types of compensation that you may be able to seek.
Medical Expenses
One type of compensation you could seek after a car accident is reimbursement for medical expenses. These expenses include costs incurred for immediate treatment, such as emergency room care, and any ongoing or rehabilitative care needed due to injuries sustained in the accident.
It is important to keep track of doctor visits, therapy sessions, medication costs, and even transportation fees associated with receiving medical care so that you can gain full compensation for medical expenses.
Lost Wages
Another area you may be compensated for is lost wages. If an injury sustained in a car accident forces you to miss work, whether that’s due to hospitalisation or recovery time at home, you could claim compensation for the wages lost during your absence.
To be able to prove this claim, make sure you have documentation from your employer regarding your usual salary rate and working hours.
Loss of Earnings Capacity
In some cases where the injury severely impacts your ability to continue working in your current capacity or completely alters your career trajectory; loss of earnings capacity can be claimed as a form of compensation.
That takes the reduction or loss of income potential into account as a direct result of injuries resulting from the car accident. Expert testimony might be needed in these situations to determine your earning potential before and after the incident.
Pain and Suffering
When considering compensation claims after a car accident, pain and suffering often play a significant role. That refers to the physical and emotional distress caused by the accident and the injuries sustained.
While monetary values can be difficult to calculate for pain and suffering, some considerations include the severity of your injuries, the duration of recovery, and the psychological impact.
Mental Anguish
Mental anguish is closely related to pain and suffering but focuses specifically on emotional distress experienced following a car accident. For example, if you develop anxiety or depression as a direct result of the incident, you may be entitled to compensation for this aspect of your experience.
Coupled with expert testimony from mental health professionals, mental anguish claims can strongly support your case.
Property Damage
Aside from personal injury-related compensation, property damage is another essential factor after a car accident, which entails repairs or replacement of vehicles involved in the collision. You can seek compensation for any costs incurred due to damage sustained during the incident.
Remember to keep repair bills and estimates as evidence when claiming this type of compensation.
Loss of Consortium
Loss of consortium is aimed at acknowledging compromised relationships due to injuries sustained in a car accident. Claiming damages under this category requires demonstrating that spouses or family members have been negatively impacted emotionally or financially following an accident.
Punitive Damages
Lastly, punitive damages may be sought in cases where the responsible party acted in an extremely negligent or malicious manner to cause the car accident. These damages are meant to serve as a form of punishment for the wrongdoer while also discouraging similar behaviour in others.
How to Find a Good Local Car Accident Lawyer
Just like you need to always have the right car insurance in place, when seeking compensation after a car accident, you need to ensure you have a reputable and experienced local lawyer on board. In the U.S., an Ocala car accident lawyer, for instance, will understand the intricacies of regional laws and navigate unique jurisdictional challenges in the Ocala area.
To find a good local car accident lawyer, ask for recommendations from friends, get advice on online forums, research local lawyers’ experience and success rates in car accident cases, and schedule consultations to assess compatibility before committing to representation.
Summing Up
While no one wants to be injured in a car accident, if it should happen to you, you now know the types of compensation that you may be able to claim, which will help to ease your burdens while you recover.
To sum up, you could seek the following compensation after a car accident:
