Types Of Compensation You Can Receive From A Car Accident

There are many factors that determine the type of compensation you can receive from a car accident.

This article examines the compensation you can receive from a car accident and the steps you can take to get it.

Sometimes you get into a car accident, and you can’t avoid it. The other driver doesn’t see you or doesn’t stop, and you’re forced side-by-side with no way out. Other times, it’s your fault.  

You were driving too fast, or were on drugs or had a medical condition that made you drive without due care. Regardless of what happened, a car accident can affect your finances. But you can still get compensation for your injuries.

There are many different types of compensation you could receive from a car accident. Each has its benefits and risks. Here’s an overview of the different types. 

Medical Expenses 

The most obvious way to get compensation from a car accident is to receive medical expenses. The law requires everyone in a car accident to be insured for medical expenses.  

All insurance companies are required by law to have money set aside for medical expenses. If you require emergency care at the hospital or have serious injuries that require surgery, your medical costs could easily exceed the maximum amount of insurance your insurance company has.  

However, your insurance will cover what it can until that limit is reached, and pay the rest of your bills out of pocket. An important step to take to make sure you get medical compensation is to get medical care for your injuries as soon as possible.  

Right after your car accident, go to the ER or to a specialized doctor to quickly assess what type of injuries you will need care for. You will be able to make your case for compensation easier this way.  

Punitive Damages 

The courts award punitive damages to punish someone for making a mistake. These damages are only given out in very specific circumstances, though.  

For example, if you drive drunk and get into a car accident that’s your fault and someone is seriously injured because of it, you could face punitive damages from the victim.  

The number of punitive damages awarded is up to a judge or jury, who will likely use the state standard for punitive damages as guidance.  

This type of damage will require you to hire an attorney to be on your side. Since it’s harder to get, you will need to gather the right evidence and have an advocate.  

Lost Wages 

Lost wages would be money that you could have earned if you weren’t in the accident that caused you to need medical attention or miss work while recovering.  

Sometimes the employer covers lost wages, but it’s up to your company’s policy. If your job doesn’t offer paid sick days or disability coverage, you could be forced to miss several weeks of work.  

You’ll want to factor in how much money you would have made throughout that period and see if that amount is higher than what you would get for pain and suffering damages.  

You will especially want to make sure you get coverage for lost wages if your accident involved a company car.  

If you were in an accident while on-the-clock, then your employer will need to get involved and give you compensation for lost wages.  

Pain and Suffering 

Pain and suffering compensate for any emotional distress injuries like shock or PTSD cause, not just physical injuries.  

The problem with pain and suffering is that it’s subjective. An auto accident attorney offers some insight into how pain and suffering are measured.  

The victim will have to answer a series of questions about how the accident affected their life and demonstrate some proof that their injuries have affected the way they live.  

You can receive compensation for any therapy that you will need to go to after your accident. Depending on the severity of the accident, you might need long-term therapy to deal with the aftermath.  

Lost Companionship 

Lost companionship is compensation for a spouse, child, or parent lost due to the victim’s injury or death. It’s used in cases where someone died from injuries sustained in an auto accident or from medical problems like infections.  

It’s difficult to collect for lost companionship, but it could add up to several thousand dollars if you prove that you were financially dependent on the lost loved one.  

You will also want to make sure you know if your loved one had life insurance. You can cash that out to help deal with the expense of losing them.  

Property Damage 

A car accident can cause significant damage to your car. In some instances, it might even total your car, meaning it isn’t worth it to repair at that point.  

Because of this, you want to make sure you get compensation for the damage caused. With that compensation, you can repair your car or even purchase a new one if needed.  

If there were valuable items in your car that were damaged in the wreck, you will want to see if your insurance will cover the cost of replacing or repairing those items as well. Work closely with your insurance company when it comes to getting compensation for property damage.  

All of these types of compensation are available to car accident victims. It all depends on the severity and circumstances of the accident.  

Final thoughts on compensation you can receive from a Car Accident

If you’re hurt in an auto accident, it’s important that you seek out qualified medical treatment as soon as possible. Your medical bills could easily increase if you don’t properly care for your injuries and seek out treatment right away.  

If you can prove that you sustained your injuries due to someone else’s negligence, you could also receive punitive damages.  

These damages aren’t common, but they do happen from time to time or with great frequency. You will also want to get in touch with your insurance company and an auto accident attorney who will be your advocate.