Types of Compensation for Car Accident Victims
Posted July 27, 2024 in Personal Injury
Pursuing the Full Extent of Compensation
When involved in a car crash in Columbia (assuming this refers to Columbia, South Carolina, or another location with a similar legal framework), victims may be eligible for various forms of compensation to help them recover from both economic and non-economic damages. If you have been in an accident, our Columbia, SC car accident lawyer can help you ensure that you are pursuing the maximum amount of compensation possible in your case.
Economic Damages
- Medical Expenses: This encompasses costs for immediate medical care following the accident, as well as future medical expenses related to the accident, such as surgeries, rehabilitation, therapy, prescription medications, and any necessary medical equipment.
- Lost Wages: If the injury results in time off from work, either due to hospitalization, recovery, or medical appointments, victims can be compensated for the wages they would have otherwise earned.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: If the injuries are so severe that the victim cannot return to their previous job or profession, they may be entitled to compensation reflecting the difference in what they now earn compared to what they would have earned had the accident not occurred.
- Property Damage: This covers the cost to repair or replace damaged property, usually the victim’s vehicle, but can also include personal items damaged in the crash.
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses: These are other miscellaneous costs directly related to the accident, such as travel to medical appointments or hiring help for household chores that the injured person can no longer perform.
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and Suffering: This covers the physical pain and emotional distress a victim undergoes due to the accident and their injuries. Compensation considers the nature of the injuries, the extent of the pain, and the duration of the suffering.
- Emotional Distress: Accidents can leave victims with psychological impacts, including anxiety, depression, or PTSD. This category seeks to compensate for these intangible consequences.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If injuries from the accident prevent victims from enjoying daily pursuits and hobbies, they might receive compensation for that loss.
- Loss of Consortium: This relates to the damages suffered by the spouse or family of the injured person. It considers the loss of companionship, affection, and other relational losses.
Punitive Damages
In some cases, where the at-fault party’s conduct is deemed particularly reckless or malicious, the court may award punitive damages. These are not meant to compensate the victim but to punish the wrongdoer and deter such behavior in the future.
How to Seek Compensation
- Insurance Claim: Initially, victims might file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company or with their insurance provider, depending on the insurance policies and circumstances.
- Legal Action: If insurance negotiations don’t yield satisfactory results or if the at-fault party was uninsured, it might be necessary to file a lawsuit to pursue due compensation.
Contact Our Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you’re considering seeking compensation after a car crash in Columbia, our team at Woron & Dhillon, LLC, can guide you through the process, help you understand your rights, and work towards ensuring you receive the maximum compensation you deserve.