Depending on the type and severity of a car accident, you can sustain property damage and physical injuries. It can be especially frustrating if you were not at fault for the collision. If you were injured in an accident due to another person’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your losses.
At Bordas & Bordas, we have experience working with insurance companies to reach fair car accident settlements. Although they know that our evaluations are reasonable, they will often attempt to minimize payouts by denying or reducing liability. By establishing relationships with insurance companies in the area, we are equipped to maximize settlements for our clients. Let our auto collision attorneys help you secure recoverable damages after a Wheeling car accident today.
Types of Recoverable Damages
Following a car crash, a person can pursue compensation for three types of losses: economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages, also referred to as out-of-pocket costs, are quantifiable losses, meaning they have an assigned monetary value. For example, if your injuries cause you to miss work for a month, you could be entitled to compensation for lost wages. Additionally, if you require medical treatment due to physical injuries from an accident, you may seek financial recovery from the person responsible or their insurance company for the accident. The most common types of economic losses include:
- Lost wages
- All medical bills
- Property damage
You can also seek compensation for loss of earning capacity. For instance, if you become unable to return to your previous job and are now earning less.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are unquantifiable costs, meaning they do not have an assigned monetary value. However, they are usually the most important. It includes the pain that you have endured, the loss of enjoyment of life, and increased difficulty doing everyday activities.
Non-economic damages are designed to compensate you after a car wreck for the ordeal you went through and continue to go through. Even though there is not a defined dollar amount, it is meant to compensate you for your losses.
Common non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
A seasoned lawyer could assess what types of compensation you may be entitled to and pursue both economic and non-economic damages.
Punitive Damages
You may be awarded punitive damages if the conduct of the person responsible for the accident was especially egregious. Punitive damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer for their particularly negligent conduct and deter them and other people from behaving similarly in the future.
A skilled attorney could help you navigate the compensation process and advocate for full recoverable damages following a Wheeling car accident.
Calculating Recoverable Damages
The role of a lawyer is to help you secure full compensation for your injuries and losses after a crash. This requires a thorough evaluation of all potentially recoverable damages after a Wheeling car collision.
A damage cap refers to the maximum amount of compensation that state legislation allows a person to recover after a car accident. This means that no matter how badly a person is hurt, they cannot recover more than the state’s damage cap. In some states, the damage cap for personal injury cases is $500,000. However, it has not been passed in West Virginia.
Calculating economic damages is relatively straightforward since they have assigned monetary values. However, non-economic damages are more difficult to estimate because they are subjective losses. Awards for non-economic damages often depend on past jury decisions for similar cases.
Start the Process To Secure Recoverable Damages After a Wheeling Car Crash Today
If you have been injured in a car accident that was caused by another person, you have the right to seek compensation for your damages. An attorney could review your case and help determine what damages may be available. To learn more about recoverable damages after a Wheeling car accident, get in touch with our team today for a free consultation.