If you have been in a motor vehicle accident that was caused by another driver, you may have a lawsuit on your hands. When looking into a lawsuit, one of the first things to ask is what types of damages you may be able to recover. The answer to that question will depend on many factors, including how the accident happened, what the result of the accident was, and much more. The following are the most common types of damages awarded by the courts in auto accident lawsuits:
Medical Expenses
If you or your loved ones had to go to the hospital for treatment, you will almost certainly have some significant medical bills coming due. Even if you have medical insurance, you can still recover damages related to medical expenses, especially those that you do have to pay out of pocket. This can include things like the fees due because of an ambulance ride, the costs of being in a hospital, emergency room treatment, and more. It may also cover any ongoing expenses caused by the accident including physical therapy or follow-up surgeries that take place weeks, months or even years down the road.
Pain and Suffering
This is one of the more “famous” types of damages from auto accident cases because of some major cases where large awards were given. To put it simply, these damages are awarded based on the mental, emotional and/or physical distress that you are put through because of the accident. The amount awarded here can vary dramatically because there is no set value to these things. The courts and/or juries can award very modest damages, or extremely large damages due to pain and suffering. Also, pain and suffering damages may vary depending upon the presence of an insurance policy that covers the subject accident.
Lost Wages
When people get into a serious auto accident, they often have to miss work while they recover. This could be anywhere from a few days to months, or even permanently. The courts can look at how much money you would have historically been making had you been able to work, and award that amount in damages. To win this type of damages, it may be necessary to show that a doctor recommended that you stay out of work and the amount of money that you would have made using documents from your employer.
Loss of Consortium
This type of damage is awarded to the spouse of the auto accident victim, or in some rare cases, other loved ones. Similar to pain and suffering damages, this is to compensate one spouse for the mental, emotional, or physical consequences of having the other spouse seriously injured.
Contact Us Today
If you have been in an auto accident, time is of the essence. It is rare that an insurance company will give you everything to which you are entitled without the assistance of an attorney. The sooner you start working on a lawsuit, the more evidence will still be available, and the easier it will be to make your case. Contact Carla D. Aikens, P.C. to discuss your situation and see if you have a strong case right away.
Carla D. Aikens, P.L.C.
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