When involved in a car accident, the aftermath can be overwhelming, both physically and emotionally. Apart from dealing with injuries and vehicle damage, you may be faced with mounting medical bills and lost income. Understanding the types of damages available in a car accident claim is crucial to ensure you receive fair compensation for your losses.
Economic Damages: Tangible Financial Losses
Economic damages, also known as special damages, are the quantifiable financial losses that result from a car accident. These damages aim to compensate victims for expenses directly tied to the accident. Common examples of economic damages include:
- Medical Expenses: Coverage for hospital bills, surgeries, prescription medications, physical therapy, and other healthcare costs related to accident injuries.
- Property Damage: Compensation for repairing or replacing your vehicle and any personal property damaged in the accident.
- Lost Wages: Reimbursement for income lost due to missed work days or diminished earning capacity caused by accident-related injuries.
- Future Medical Costs: Anticipated expenses for ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, or long-term care are required due to the accident.
Non-Economic Damages: Intangible Losses
Non-economic damages, also known as general damages, address the intangible losses resulting from a car accident. These losses may not have a precise dollar value but significantly impact the victim’s quality of life. Non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and the overall suffering experienced due to the accident and injuries.
- Emotional Distress: Damages awarded for psychological trauma, anxiety, depression, or other emotional effects resulting from the accident.
- Loss of Consortium: Compensation for the impact the accident has on the victim’s personal relationships, including the loss of companionship or spousal support.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Reimbursement for the inability to engage in activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed before the accident.
Punitive Damages: Punishing Wrongdoers
Punitive damages, also known as exemplary damages, are awarded in exceptional cases to punish the at-fault party for egregious misconduct or gross negligence. These damages are intended to deter similar behavior in the future. However, punitive damages are relatively rare in car accident claims and typically reserved for reckless or intentional misconduct cases.
Wrongful Death Damages: Loss Of A Loved One
In cases where a car accident results in the tragic loss of life, surviving family members may pursue wrongful death damages. These damages aim to provide financial compensation for the financial and emotional losses incurred due to the death of a loved one. Wrongful death damages may include:
- Funeral and Burial Expenses: Coverage for the costs associated with laying the deceased to rest, including funeral services, burial plots, and related expenses.
- Loss of Financial Support: Compensation for the income and financial support that the deceased would have provided to their family.
- Loss of Companionship: Damages awarded for the emotional suffering and loss of the deceased’s companionship and guidance.
- Medical and End-of-Life Expenses: Reimbursement for medical bills and end-of-life care related to fatal injuries.
Call Our Law Office For Legal Assistance
If you’ve been involved in a car accident and are seeking compensation for your damages, don’t hesitate to consult with an experienced Charlotte, NC car accident lawyer. Their expertise can help you navigate the legal process, protect your rights, and maximize your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve. Call Schehr Law, PLLC to schedule a free case evaluation.