In legal terms, “damages” are the compensation you can seek from the liable party in a civil lawsuit. The damages that may be available to you will vary depending on the case type as well as the nature and extent of your losses. Discover the sorts of damages you can seek for car accident personal injuries and what you can do to maximize your compensation award.
Damages Available for Personal Injuries in a Car Accident
Here are some of the main types of damages you can seek to recover in a Connecticut car accident.
Medical Bills
This category covers all past and future medical treatment related to your car accident injuries, including but not limited to:
- Ambulance transport
- Surgeries
- Hospital stays
- Doctor’s visits
- Diagnostic tests
- Prescription medication
- Medical devices
- Rehabilitation
- At-home care costs
You may also recover related expenses like the costs of making your home wheelchair accessible.
Property Damage
After a road accident, you can seek compensation for the cost of repair or replacement of your car and other damaged property, such as a broken laptop. If you can’t use your vehicle for some time after the crash, you may also be able to recover related expenses like the cost of towing your car or renting a temporary car.
Lost Income
An accident may cause you to miss time from work and impact your ability to earn a living. You can seek to recover lost income and work-related perks, including:
- Wages
- Commissions
- Bonuses
- Vacation days
In addition to past losses, your damages can account for future loss of income and reduced earning capacity, including promotions or career advancement opportunities you might have had if you were able to work.
Pain and Suffering
Not all losses are financial. The law recognizes this and allows you to recover damages for your physical pain and emotional distress following the accident. It can be challenging to put a dollar value on such losses, but an experienced personal injury lawyer will know how to properly calculate your damages.
Punitive Damages
In rare car accident claims involving extreme recklessness or intentional conduct, the court may order punitive damages to punish the driver at fault.
Calculating Your Claim Properly
An essential part of building a claim for car accident personal injuries is figuring out your case value. If your claim is not properly valued, you risk recovering less than your actual losses and leaving thousands, if not tens of thousands, of dollars on the table.
Another thing to keep in mind is Connecticut’s modified comparative negligence law. Under the doctrine of modified comparative negligence, you can’t recover damages if you were more than 50% at fault for the accident. If your fault is 50% or less, you can seek compensation, but the final award will be reduced by your assigned percentage of fault.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
An experienced personal injury lawyer can review your case and determine what types of damages you can seek and how much. They will also maximize your prospects of success by building and filing your claim correctly and on time. Your lawyer will also negotiate with the insurance company for you. If the insurer makes a lowball settlement offer or denies your claim outright, your lawyer can take your case to court.
Were You Injured in a Connecticut Car Accident?
At the Law Offices of James A. Welcome, we help car accident victims seek fair compensation for their personal injuries. Call 203-753-7300 today or contact us online to schedule your consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer.