The auto insurance claim money you can gain from an automobile accident can vary depending on the circumstances of your accident and knowing what to look for and document regarding those circumstances. Many drivers are not aware of what to look for and document from their accidents after they’ve been in one. It is critical that you know what to look for and document in order to receive the maximum amount of money damages you are entitled to.
Types of Money Damages You Can Receive
There are many types of money damages you could be entitled to. It all depends on the specific circumstances of your case and the evidence you document, including pictures, witness testimonies, a diary of your thoughts and observations before, during, and after the crash, and more. The following types of money damages could apply to your case:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future non-medical expenses
- Past and future pain and suffering
- Past and future loss of enjoyment of life
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of household services
- Property damage
- Loss of use damages
- Diminished value to a repaired vehicle
- Damages based upon the nature, extent and duration of an injury
- Punitive damages
Additional Damages and Punitive Damages
In car crashes where extreme injury or death occurs, you could be entitled to additional damage claims from economic loss, disability, emotional anguish, loss of consortium, and wrongful death. Often, economists, life care planners, medical experts, and other noted experts will have to testify in court to identify and elaborate on how exactly the accident has affected your way of life in order to receive compensation for these additional damage claims.
Punitive damages are a special type of damages that are assessed in specific cases. They are a special type because they are assessed specifically to punish the defendant for committing conduct in a willful, wanton, or reckless manner. A common example where punitive damages would be assessed to the defendant is when the defendant was driving drunk at the time of the accident. In this case, not only will the defendant be liable for your medical expenses and property damage, but the defendant will likely pay punitive damages to you as punishment for causing those injuries and property damage while drinking and driving, a known offense.
Attaining Legal Help
Receiving all of the auto insurance claim money you deserve from an accident is not usually an easy task. An established and experienced attorney in the state where the accident took place will know what state laws apply to your case and will present the strongest possible case to give you the greatest chance of receiving all of the compensation you deserve for your accident.
