When a driver’s negligent actions lead to a vehicle collision, the effects are often devastating. As a result, they are liable to pay compensation. After an auto crash, the best step for victims is to search for the best accident lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia, and hire their services
If you’ve been in a car accident, you can file a claim against the at-fault party for damages. These damages refer to quantifiable and non-quantifiable losses resulting from the crash. But that’s not all.
Without understanding your rights as an accident victim, an insurance company can compel you to accept a settlement and not file a claim. So, consulting an attorney can increase the chances of getting fair compensation. Still, it’s vital to understand what exactly you can demand.
So, what are the common recoverable damages in a Georgia car accident claim? We discussed five of them in this article.
Common Types of Damages in an Auto Accident
The following are five recoverable damages from a vehicle accident.
Medical Expenses
One standard effect of a car accident is injuries to the drivers or passengers involved. So, getting medical treatment afterward is often a primary concern. As a result, it’s typical for bills to pile up for medical treatment.
These expenses could cover diagnostic tests, in-patient care, hospital bills, prescription drugs, physical therapy, corrective surgeries, medical aid devices, etc. These losses can also include future medical costs.
Even with health insurance coverage, medicinal treatment can be a costly burden. But you can file for compensation for the total medical costs. However, the final awarded amount will depend on the following:
- The type of injury sustained in the crash
- The severity of the injury
- The effects on your future health
Property Damage
Accidents usually involve collisions between vehicles. Aside from the injury to people, it’s common for cars to suffer partial or total wreckage.
When this happens, a victim can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider. The following items can serve as helpful evidence:
- Pictures and videos of the crash site and vehicle damage
- Statements from eyewitnesses at the accident scene
- Car repair estimates or after-repair receipts
For a partially wrecked car, property damage may include repair expenses. In addition, you can add the costs of renting a vehicle while yours is undergoing fixing. The compensation amount will cover the car replacement costs if the crash renders the vehicle a total loss.
Lost Income
It’s typical for a car accident to limit a victim’s ability to work. Also, the person may have to spend time in the hospital or undergo alternative treatment instead of being at work. Since you can’t go to work, you will lose your earnings.
Essentially, this damage serves to reimburse you for time missed from work. So, it considers the loss of your expected salary, workplace benefits, or promotion opportunities.
The critical thing here is establishing a link between your accident injuries and the loss of income. Age, occupation, and life expectancy are some factors that affect the compensation amount.
Additionally, lost income may include other types of damages. Examples are:
- Reduced earning capacity – where the victim suffers physical disfigurement or disability and cannot perform their previous job duties or work at all.
- Future loss of income – apart from earnings lost due to the accident, you can prove the incident’s impact on your previously expected future income.
Pain and Suffering
Aside from the economic costs, a car accident can severely impact a person’s mental and emotional well-being.
Common effects are post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, fear, depression, etc. For this reason, you can receive compensation for physical and mental pain and suffering.
Under this general class of damages, you cannot give an estimate from bills or receipts. But, by searching for the best lawyer near me in Atlanta and speaking with them, you can know what to expect.
Sometimes, pain and suffering encompass other non-economic damages, such as:
- Emotional distress
- Loss of companionship
- Physical disfigurement
- Reduced quality of life
- Mental anguish
Wrongful Death
Car accidents kill over 30,000 people every year, according to the CDC. So, injuries and damaged vehicles are not the only possible effects of auto collisions.
You can file for wrongful death damages if you lose a family member in a fatal crash. With this claim, you are entitled to compensation for
- Your relative’s medical expenses before death;
- The deceased’s pain and suffering while alive and that of their loved ones;
- Funeral and burial costs;
- Loss of consortium;
- Reduced quality of life of the deceased’s family;
General and Special Damages
All the damages listed above, and other less common ones, fall into two categories:
- Special or economic damages
- General or non-economic damages
Special damages refer to actual physical injuries and property wreckage. So, property repair or replacement expenses, medical bills, and lost earnings fall into this class.
Reviewing hospital bills, repair invoices, income statements, etc., makes it easy to estimate the monetary costs and potential compensation. However, unlike these damages, general damages are not easily quantifiable.
A car accident does not only inflict physical losses. There’s usually accompanying pain and distress that negatively impacts a victim’s mental and emotional health.
As such, you will receive compensation for intangible (or non-monetary) losses in a crash. The more severe your injuries, the more likely you’ll receive a higher amount.
A law court can also award punitive damages. But these are less common. Essentially, it’s a punishment for the at-fault party that exhibited intentionally harmful or malicious conduct.
Why Do I Need to Hire the Best Car Accident Lawyer Near Me?
Knowing what you’re entitled to as a victim may seem enough to file a car accident claim personally. However, it can quickly become frustrating for you. Thankfully, you can speak to a car accident lawyer at The Weinstein Firm to handle your case.
As mentioned, insurance companies always care for their clients and profits. So, you may settle for an unfair payout without proper legal representation. But a lawyer fights for your right and will get you what you deserve.
Additionally, you may only have a little time to file a compensation claim. So, with the help of an experienced lawyer, you can file your lawsuit within the Statute of Limitations.
In all, being involved in an accident can be traumatic. So, it’s ideal that you focus on recovering while an attorney represents your best interests.
Your Search for the Best Lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia, Ends With Us
If you’ve been in an auto accident, you may be entitled to compensation for various damages. But first, consult a trusted car accident lawyer at The Weinstein Firm. We treat every case personally and will help you exercise your legal rights.
Book a free initial consultation with our top personal injury attorney in Atlanta, Georgia. We work on a contingency fee basis.
