Types of Damages You Can Seek After a Car Accident

There are several types of damages for which you can seek compensation if you have sustained injuries as a result of a car accident. Although medical expenses are the most common form of damages, there are several other categories that you should discuss with a lawyer should you be involved in a car accident. For example, in certain circumstances you can also recover for pain and suffering or lost wages. It is important that you speak to an experienced lawyer soon after your accident to make sure that you are able to receive all the compensation that you are legally entitled to receive. Here is a brief description of the types of damages you can try to recover.

Medical Expenses

There is a wide variety of medical expenses for which you can be compensated if you sustain injuries as the result of a car accident. Whether your injuries are as minor as a few cuts and bruises or as serious as paralysis or any other type of permanent disability, you can receive compensation if someone else is at fault. The types of expenses that could arise from a car accident include physical and cognitive therapy, ambulance fees, consultations with healthcare professionals, accessories such as crutches or heat pads, and in-home services. Additionally, if the wrongdoer is responsible for the death of the victim, the family of the victim can recover any medical costs that were incurred between the accident and the time of death.

Pain and Suffering

To recover for pain and suffering, you need to prove that you suffered mental or physical distress as the result of the car accident. When determining how much compensation you receive for these damages, a court will look at the type of injury, the seriousness of the pain that you are suffering, and how much future pain you are expected to endure. Sometimes you can also recover for mental or emotional damage that stems from the injury, such as anxiety or stress.

Lost Wages

You may be able to recover damages for your lost wages if you are no longer able to work because of the injuries you sustained from the car accident. Lost wages can be recovered if, instead of working, you are spending time at physical therapy, in a hospital, or if you have other physical problems that prevent you from earning your usual wages. In order to receive compensation for lost wages, you must prove that your earnings will decrease in the future as a result of the car accident. To determine exactly how much you can recover in lost wages, a court will consider several factors including your age, occupation, skill, experience, and life expectancy.

If you are the victim of a car accident and you would like to talk to a lawyer about how you can be compensated for your injuries, contact the experienced Florida personal injury attorneys at Pike & Lustig, LLP.