A car accident is a stressful situation that turns your life upside down. At the very least, you must arrange transportation while a mechanic repairs your car. However, in a serious crash, you might sustain injuries from the accident and need time to heal and recover from the pain and trauma. It’s challenging to navigate this experience on your own. While handling these issues yourself, you might not realize your eligibility for more compensation. Hiring a car wreck lawyer allows you to sit back while an experienced professional oversees the case to determine what forms of car accident damages you can seek.
Forms of Car Accident Damages
Over 35,000 fatal car accidents occurred in 2020, and at least two million people suffered from injuries in non-fatal crashes. With those staggering statistics in mind, it’s easy to see why you need to hire a lawyer to help you seek the maximum car accident damage compensation for your case.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are financial claims you can make relating to your accident. For example, you can request that the person at fault pays for your hospital bills and ambulance ride. Your Tampa car accident lawyer can make them pay to replace your vehicle.
Moreover, you can request compensation for ongoing appointments related to your injuries, like physiotherapy and even therapy related to mental trauma.
Another type of economic damage is your loss of income. If you can’t work due to car accident injuries, the person at fault is on the line to help you make ends meet. If the accident handicaps you, they might also have to pay to renovate your home to make it accessible. In this situation, it’s essential to secure an Aggressive DUI Lawyer who can fight for the compensation you deserve.
To prove economic damages, you’ll most likely need to supply your medical history so the insurance companies and jury can see that the pain results from the accident.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages can still result in financial compensation. However, it’s harder to calculate the value for each claim. Some examples of non-economic damage include:
- Emotional distress
- Isolation due to scarring or disfigurement
- Lower quality of life
- Mood disorders
- Pain and suffering
Your lawyer can help the insurance companies assess how much compensation you are owed for these non-economic issues. Your lawyer may take the case to court if the insurance company refuses to pay. A judge and jury will listen to your claims and decide the value of your settlement.
How Much Is a Car Accident Settlement?
The exact amount of a car accident settlement varies depending on the damages you claim. Almost every claim includes economic damages like medical bills, car repairs, and loss of income. It’s relatively easy to back up these claims in a way an insurance company can’t deny.
If you claim non-economic damages, you must build a strong case to ensure you get what you deserve. You can provide medical records and journal your pain and recovery after the accident. Write down details about how your life changed after the accident, such as having to find a new job or not being able to enjoy your previous hobbies.
If your case goes to trial, your lawyer will help provide evidence that makes you look sympathetic to the jurors. Severe damages and a sympathetic story significantly improve your chances of getting financial compensation for everything you claim.
How a Lawyer Can Help
A Tampa car accident lawyer (or a lawyer within your local area) can help navigate your case after a car accident because they have experience in the field. They will pull the police report and witness statements to build a case, proving you’re the victim who deserves compensation. They examine every angle of the case to ensure you’re claiming all the damages possible to make up for this traumatic experience.
Understanding the Forms of Car Accident Damages
Your attorney will handle all the work, from contacting insurance companies to accepting the best offer. Instead of stressing yourself during your recuperation time, a lawyer does everything so you can heal peacefully.