Published on: 09/20/22 — In Personal Injury
If you have recently been involved in a motor vehicle accident you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. An auto crash claim seeks coverage for a variety of economic damages and non-economic damages including medical expenses, income loss, and emotional damages. This article will outline the types of damages that may be sought in a collision claim. A Chicago car accident lawyer is crucial to obtaining a fair settlement.
Economic Losses Included in the Value of Your Car Accident Claim
Outside of property damage, namely vehicle repairs, you may be entitled to compensation for economic losses. Economic losses refer to purely financial losses. The following are classified in this category:
Medical Treatment Costs
Medical bills can become a major expense for accidents involving bodily injury. The victim may request damages related to their medical care. This can include care for minor injuries, severe injuries, and permanent injuries. You may be eligible to receive compensation for past and future medical costs. For severe injuries, like a spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury, payment for ongoing care can be awarded in your collision claim. Medical bills can include hospital stays, check-ups, prescriptions, and surgery.
Lost Wages
After an auto accident, a person may lose wages due to bodily injury or loss of transportation. If the car accident victim was unable to work because of circumstances directly related to the accident, they may be entitled to compensation for lost wages. Lost wages refer to the amount of money the victim would have earned from their job during the time period from the date of the accident to the date of the settlement.
Rehabilitation Expenses
Procedures and treatments related to the process of healing from accident-related injuries may be considered rehabilitation expenses. This includes physical therapy and occupational therapy treatments. In order to qualify as a rehabilitation expense, a few criteriums must be met. The treatment must be necessary for the specific circumstance, the cost must be reasonable in comparison to the predicted outcome, and the care will make a substantial contribution to the rehabilitation process.
Most insurance companies try to pay as little as possible for claims, it is important to speak to an experienced lawyer before accepting a settlement. An accident attorney will review your case and help uncover expenses that you may have not known would qualify for coverage.
Learn More: What Does a Car Accident Lawyer Do?
Non-Economic Losses Included in the Value of Your Car Accident Claim
While economic losses refer to quantifiable financial expenses, non-economic damages refer to subjective, non-monetary losses. You may have frequently heard the term "pain and suffering," that's what people are referring to. This includes compensation for:
- Emotional distress
- Physical pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Diminished quality of life
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium (loss of spousal emotional or physical support)
- Permanent disabilities and impairments
- Permanent disfigurement
The state of Illinois is an at-fault state, meaning one party can be held accountable for all of the damages after an auto accident. After a collision, many people want to be polite and forgiving, but may not be able to foresee the long-term effects of the incident. Some injuries do not surface immediately. Certain mental issues may arise over a period of time. After an accident, it is important to see a physician for a check-up and to speak with an accident attorney before moving forward. You should never suffer the long-term financial and emotional burden of an event that was not your fault.
For questions about your specific case, speak to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. At Ktenas Injury Lawyers, we seek maximum compensation for accident victims. Schedule your free consultation today.
