When an individual is injured in a car accident or other automobile accident, there are several damages that a victim can claim. After a car accident, most insurance companies are eager to settle personal injury claims as quickly as possible. They may ask you to provide a list of damages or medical expenses. This is sometimes referred to as a settlement demand. Simply calculating medical bills will probably fall short of the compensation you should be receiving. This is when it’s beneficial to seek the assistance of a personal injury attorney. An experienced car accident lawyer knows how to deal with insurance companies and can help you get the maximum benefit from your claim. Keep reading to learn about some of the types of damages that may not be obvious.
Car Accident Damages
When a lawyer tells you that you can recover damages, they are talking about all the injured party losses. Damages can be classified under three basic categories — Economic, Non-economic, and Punitive.
Some examples of each include:
- Economic damages include any financial losses resulting from an accident, such as loss of income, property damages, medical bills (existing and future) cost of living with a disability.
- Non-economic damages are damages that are more difficult to assign a monetary value. These include losses such as pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and mental anguish.
- Punitive damages are a punishment for malicious conduct, reckless behavior, such as drunk driving and excessive speeding.
Determining damages is not a straight-forward process. Underestimating the amount of damages incurred can end up costing you a lot. If you accept a settlement that doesn’t fully compensate you, you will be left having to pay the extra costs out of your own pocket. An experienced auto accident attorney can help you uncover all the economic damages, as well as those that are not as easy to calculate.
The Jaspon Firm demands full compensation for injured victims in Florida.
Consider Future Medical Treatment
One common thing that can be overlooked when calculating damages is the cost of future medical expenses. While some car accident victims will only need minimal or short-term medical treatment, others with a more severe injury may have a lifetime of medical needs and that needs to be considered., Some examples of long-term costs could be ongoing physical therapy, rehabilitation, or long-term pain management.
Long-term Care or Nursing Home Expenses
When an injured victim obtains severe or catastrophic injuries, in some cases, they need long-term care. Additionally, they may require assistance in performing routine tasks like general house cleaning, shopping, or personal care. The expense for these services can add up quickly, especially when needed long-term.
Punitive Damages
Most crash victims aren’t versed enough in the law to estimate punitive damages accurately. The state of Florida limits punitive damages to three times the amount of the compensatory damages or $500,000, whichever is greater. However, in the case of gross negligence or intentional misconduct, compensations can be higher.
Diminished Value
When a car crash damages your property or vehicle, it’s never worth as much as it was before the accident. A claim of diminished value will help you recover some of the loss.
Loss of Future Wages or Earning Capacity
Often, many clients are never able to return to their full capacity. Their compensation, both now and down the road, will be impacted. When an attorney is looking at future lost wages, they will often consult with vocational experts to determine how much wage-earning capacity has been lost. That gives them the information they need to present to the insurance company and/or a jury.
The Jaspon Firm stands up for our clients.
Jeremiah Jaspon works hard for his clients to get the compensation they need. We began by looking closely at the big picture and using all the information we can gather from accident reports, witnesses and other sources to determine appropriate damages for your unique case. Every personal injury case is different. Call our office if you have questions. There is no cost to talk to Mr. Jaspon, and you don’t pay a dime until we win your case!
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Watch the video provided below. Attorney Jeremiah Jaspon