Being involved in a car accident is a scary and traumatic experience itself. Dealing with the aftermath can add an extra level of stress to the situation. Who is going to pay for all your medical bills and other out-of-pocket expenses?
If you’re ever in this situation, it’s most likely in your best interest to file a personal injury claim in order to get compensated for damages you sustained in the accident. In California, injury victims can receive compensation for two types of damages: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
These are the damages that are easily calculated by adding up your total out-of-pocket expenses. The main types of economic damages included in car accident claims include:
- Medical expenses - This includes bills for hospital stays, medications, and ongoing medical treatments.
- Lost wages - If you’re put out of work, you can recover compensation for past and future lost wages. Additional compensation may be awarded for loss of capacity to work or loss of household income.
- Property damage - You may receive compensation to get your vehicle fixed or replaced and money spent on a rental car.
Non-Economic Damages
It’s hard to put a price on the pain you endured due to your injuries. These damages are those that are not so easily calculated because it involves compensating a person for how their life was impacted due to the accident. Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering - You may be compensated for the pain you endured in the accident as well as the recovery process.
- Disfigurement - Some injuries (such as loss of limb or scarring) can cause disfigurement that may result in additional compensation.
- Physical impairment - You may receive compensation if the accident caused you long-term or lifelong physical impairment, such as walking with a limp or paralysis.
Many judges and juries can be skeptical about awarding non-economic damages because they can be seen as subjective. Receiving maximum compensation will rely heavily on your personal injury attorney’s ability to argue just how your life was impacted because of the accident.
If you’re injured in a car accident, make sure your rights are protected. Our firm is dedicated to helping injury victims pursue compensation for what they have endured. For help pursuing your car accident case, don’t hesitate to contact The Schurmer Firm at (805) 470-1628 to schedule your free consultation with one of our Oxnard personal injury attorneys.