What Type of Compensation Am I Owed After a Car Accident?
The types of compensation you are owed after a car accident could include:
- - Economic damages, which reimburse you for the money you lost
- - Non-economic damages, which reimburse you for your bodily injuries
- - Wrongful death damages if you have a loved one who did not survive the accident
Compensation for Car Accident Expenses
Traffic accidents can end up costing you a lot of money, especially if you were seriously injured. You, therefore, have the right to seek compensation based on:
- - The cost of medical care, including hospitalization, tests, medication, follow-up exams, and so on
- - The cost of repairing or replacing any property you lost, especially a motor vehicle
- - The cost of hiring people to help you with tasks you once performed independently, such as cleaning the house or caring for your children
- - The income you lost when you took days, weeks, or months off from work to tend to your injuries
- - The income you will lose in the future because your permanent injuries keep you from ever working the same number of hours or for the same pay as before
- - The fact that you can never return to your old job and/or that you have to spend time and money training for a new position
To calculate how much you should receive in these and other economic damages, the attorney at Herschensohn Law can:
- - Look at bills or receipts to see how much you have already spent
- - Examine paystubs or tax filings to determine how much income you lost
- - Request copies of your medical records to confirm what treatments you need, both now and in the future
- - Consult a vocational expert who can talk about how your injuries will impact your career
Compensation for Car Accident Injuries
The injuries you sustained could have a big effect on your health and your life, either in the short term or for years to come. You could be compensated for:
- - Physical pain caused by injuries like whiplash, and bone fractures
- - Psychological pain caused by post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental health issues
- - The loss or reduction of your ability to engage in fulfilling personal relationships
- - Any loss of independence that forces you to live with or hire someone else to help you with day-to-day tasks
- -Temporary disabilities caused by serious but treatable injuries
- - Permanent disabilities caused by untreatable or partially treatable injuries to your mind or body
- - Scarring that alters your appearance, self-image, or range of motion
We can determine how much money you should pursue for these non-economic damages. We can also supplement your demand letter with evidence from:
- - Your testimony regarding the accident and its impact on your life
- - Testimony from loved ones who can confirm what you say
- - Medical records and/or a statement from your doctor regarding the types of injuries you suffered
Compensation for Fatal Car Accidents
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that fatal car accidents cost Washingtonians $930 million in just one year. Further, this number only reflects lost income and medical bills. It does not cover the family’s funeral expenses or the emotional toll of their bereavement.
What type of compensation are you owed after a fatal car accident? That depends on:
Whether Your Loved One Filed a Lawsuit
If your loved one never filed a lawsuit (for example, if they passed away at the accident scene) you could be entitled to collect the damages they would have qualified for had they survived.
How Much Money You Lost
It may seem crass to discuss finances when you are still grieving your lost loved one, but the fact is that death can be expensive. You may have financial trouble if:
- You have to cover their funeral and burial expenses
- There is some dispute with their will and you have to hire legal help to settle their estate
- You relied on their income to support yourself and your family
You could be reimbursed for all of these losses through a lawsuit. This way, you would not have to worry about finances as you pick up the pieces and figure out where to go from here.
Your Loved One’s Role in Your Life
The deceased brought great joy into their loved ones’ lives, and the grief of their loss will never fully go away. You should never have had to experience these terrible losses, which is why state law permits you to seek compensation for them.
Getting Car Accident Compensation
You know you are not to blame for your accident, but do you know who the liable party or parties are? Do you know the ins and outs of the legal process well enough to pursue a fair amount of compensation?
Herschensohn Law believes that all accident survivors deserve a settlement or jury award that accurately reflects their economic and non-economic losses. We can help you navigate the often long and tedious process of fighting for that compensation by:
- - Gathering available evidence to prove both your need for damages and the reason why the liable party should be the one to pay them
- - Speaking with the insurance company and negotiating for your compensation
- - Drawing up the settlement agreement that could get you the money you need
- - Taking the liable party to trial and seeking a jury award, if negotiations are not a feasible option in your case
- - Answering your legal questions so you have a better understanding of what you are entitled to and how to get it
We can help prospective clients get started by providing a free case evaluation when they call either of our law offices in Washington State.
After a Car Accident, Call Us
Not only can Herschensohn Law tell you what type of compensation you are owed after a car accident, but we can also help you fight for that compensation so you can concentrate on getting better. Call us at (206) 588-4344 for a free case review.
