Car accidents can give you a serious financial burden. You have to pay for the repair of your vehicle, your hospital bills, and other medical expenses to help you recover from your injuries. If you’ve been injured in a car crash that was caused by another person, you can pursue compensation. That will help financially support your recovery.
Pursuing an insurance claim can be challenging, especially if you have to prove fault. It’s a good idea to seek the legal counsel of a personal injury lawyer. They’ll help you build a strong case to increase your chances of getting compensation. However, if you get into a car accident through a ride-sharing app, make sure to approach an experienced Lyft or Uber accident attorney.
Car crash victims can pursue the following damages:
1. Medical Expenses
Car accidents can cause minor to severe injuries, from cuts and bruises to broken bones and paralysis. The person at fault can shoulder the cost of your recovery, regardless of the severity of your injuries. But only if your case is strong enough.
Reimbursement for your medical expenses includes hospital bills, medication fees, ambulance fees, rehabilitation expenses, necessary in-home services, and medical supplies and accessories that aid your recovery (e.g., crutches, bandages, heat pads).
Make sure you take photos of your injuries to support your claim. See a doctor immediately after the accident to determine the extent of your injuries. They’ll also document everything and create a medical report, which can also help back up your insurance claim.
2. Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering refer to the physical and emotional stress you sustained from the crash. It’s more difficult to calculate pain and suffering damages compared to medical expenses since you can’t put a dollar value on emotional impact.
States award pain and suffering damages in different ways. Make sure to research the laws in your state or ask your personal injury lawyers.
One thing that can help increase your chances of getting pain and suffering compensation is to see a doctor right after your accident. Insurance companies assume that you’re not in distress if you didn’t seek medical attention.
3. Lost Wages
Lost wages are earnings you would have obtained if you hadn’t been in a car crash. That covers the period from the actual accident to all the days you missed work while recovering.
Disabling non-physical injuries, such as trauma or anxiety, can also be grounds for a lost wages claim. But you have to prove that the condition was severe enough for you to miss work.
The lost wages compensation will be calculated based on your past earnings. Secure a letter from your employer confirming the number of days you were absent. The letter should also include your pay level and bonuses and perks you’re entitled to.
4. Loss of Consortium
Injuries can cause a gap between you and your spouse, preventing you from showing affection, including sexual activities. It is called loss of consortium. A loss of consortium claim is made by your spouse or the one who wasn’t in the accident.
Some states have damages caps, which limits the number of damages you can recover. Check your state’s laws on damages caps to make sure your claim is within the limit.
Research about personal injury laws in your state to make sure nothing is preventing you from recovering damages. Don’t be afraid to pursue compensation for your injuries because this will help ease the burden of your recovery – physically, emotionally, and financially.
