Posted by If you have been involved in a car accident, you may wonder what damages you can collect.
While the specific damages available to you depend on the facts and circumstances of your accident, there are some common types that many people will be able to pursue.
This article will discuss the different types of damages available in a car accident claim. Read on to learn more.
Economic Damages
The most common type of damages awarded in a car accident claim is economic damages. These are intended to compensate victims for out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident, such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.
Economic damages are typically easy to calculate and are based on actual costs incurred by the victim.
To calculate economic damages, you must keep detailed records of all expenses related to the accident, including medical bills, receipts for medications and other treatments, and estimates for repair or replacement costs for damaged items such as vehicles or damaged clothing/personal belongings.
Additionally, if applicable, keep track of any time away from work due to the accident and detailed records regarding any physical limitations imposed by your injuries from the accident.
These documents will form the basis for your economic damages claim. For instance, if you had to pay $500 for medication due to your injuries, that amount would be included in your total economic damages claim. best lawyers in port Macquarie
Non-Economic Damages
In addition to economic damages, you may also be able to seek non-economic damages in a car accident claim. These are intended to compensate victims for intangible losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and other intangible losses.
Non-economic damages are typically more challenging to calculate because there is no “set” amount that can be awarded. Instead, a jury or court will use its discretion in determining the appropriate award for non-economic damages.
In some cases, certain factors, such as the severity of the accident, the type and number of injuries sustained, and the impact that the accident has had on your life, can be considered when calculating the cost of non-economic damages.
One common method used by courts to calculate non-economic damages is the “multiplier method.” This involves multiplying the amount of economic damages by a number, typically between 1 and 5, depending on the severity of the injuries suffered.
For instance, if you had $5,000 in economic damages and your case falls into a range of 2-3 on the multiplier scale, you could receive a non-economic damages award of $10,000-$15,000.
In many cases, a car accident attorney can help you calculate an appropriate amount for non-economic damages based on their experience in similar cases. Additionally, they can present evidence to the court or jury in support of your claim.
Punitive Damages
In some cases, a court may also award punitive damages in addition to economic damages and non-economic damages. Punitive damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer for their actions and deter similar conduct in the future.
Typically, punitive damages are only awarded when the wrongdoer’s conduct is deemed particularly egregious or reckless.
For example, if a drunk driver caused your accident, you may recover punitive damages in addition to economic damages and non-economic damages.
Overall, calculating damages for a car accident claim can be complex and requires an experienced attorney. An experienced attorney can help you understand the types of damages available, calculate an appropriate award, and present evidence to support your claim.
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What Factors Determine How Much You Are Awarded?
Ultimately, the amount you are awarded in a car accident claim will depend on several factors. These include:
- The type and severity of your injuries.
- The applicable state laws.
- The extent of the other party’s negligence or recklessness.
- The amount of economic damages and non-economic damages you can prove.
- The amount of insurance coverage available.
In some cases, it may also depend on the skill and experience of your attorney. A qualified car accident attorney can help you determine how much you are likely to be awarded in a car accident claim based on the facts of your case.
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Summary
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses by filing a claim against the responsible party.
Typically, you may collect economic, non-economic, and even punitive damages depending on the circumstances of your case.
It’s essential that you work with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you understand your rights and maximize your potential recovery for all types of available compensation!