Car accidents can alter your life and result in significant physical injuries, emotional pain, and financial hardships. You can pursue various types of car accident damages through insurance claims or personal injury lawsuits to address the losses suffered. An experienced Virginia car accident injury attorney will protect your legal rights and fight for fair compensation to cover the damages you suffered.
Different Types of Car Accident Damages ![Types of Virginia Car Accident Damages | Virginia Car Accident Lawyer]()
Car accident damages can either be economic or non-economic. Economic damages are tangible losses quantified in monetary terms. They include:
Medical expenses
Medical expenses include all necessary medical treatment resulting from the accident, such as emergency room visits, surgeries, hospital stays, doctor consultations, prescription medications, physical therapy, and any ongoing medical care required for sustained injuries.
Property damage
Economic damages may include the cost of repairing or replacing the damaged vehicle. It may also extend to personal belongings damaged in the accident, such as electronics or other valuables.
Lost income
You may be entitled to compensation for the wages lost due to missed work while recovering from your injuries.
Loss of earning capacity
In severe cases, where injuries result in long-term or permanent disabilities that impact the ability to work and earn a living, you may be entitled to compensation for the loss of future earning capacity.
Non-economic damages are intangible losses that do not have a specific monetary value. They include:
Pain and suffering
These damages address the physical and emotional pain experienced due to the accident and its aftermath. Pain and suffering can encompass anything from the immediate discomfort of injuries to long-term chronic pain and mental anguish.
Emotional distress
Emotional distress covers psychological trauma, anxiety, depression, fear, and other emotional disturbances resulting from the accident.
Loss of enjoyment of life
If the accident leaves you with a diminished ability to enjoy life's activities, hobbies, or personal relationships, you may be eligible to receive compensation for this loss.
How a Virginia Car Accident Lawyer Values Damages
Having a skilled and experienced lawyer on your side can be immensely beneficial when seeking compensation for an East Highland Park car accident. A lawyer helps determine the appropriate value of your damages, considering both economic and non-economic losses. The following factors may be considered to calculate economic damages.
Medical Expenses
Your lawyer works closely with medical professionals to assess the full extent of your injuries and calculate all costs associated with the accident and your injuries.
Property Damage
Your attorney considers the value of repairing or replacing the damaged vehicle and any other personal belongings affected by the accident.
Lost Income
To determine lost income, your lawyer reviews employment records, pay stubs, and other evidence to calculate the earnings lost due to your inability to work during the recovery period.
Loss of Earning Capacity
When long-term or permanent disabilities due to the accident affect your ability to work, your attorney consults with vocational experts to calculate the loss of future earning capacity.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are subjective and more challenging to value. An attorney uses various methods, such as the multiplier method, to calculate pain and suffering damages based on the severity of injuries, the extent of pain endured, and the impact on your life. They may work closely with psychologists or mental health experts to evaluate the emotional toll of the accident and consider factors like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress.
An experienced car accident lawyer also evaluates how the accident and resulting injuries impacted your daily activities, hobbies, and social relationships. In some cases, car accidents and the aftermath of recovery strain personal relationships and result in the loss of consortium or loss of companionship. These factors are all considered when evaluating non-economic damages.
Other Ways a Lawyer Can Help
In addition to valuing damages, a lawyer navigates the legal process efficiently on your behalf and assists you in the following ways:
Investigation
This includes gathering evidence, reviewing medical reports, interviewing witnesses, and reconstructing the events leading up to the collision.
Prove liability
Proving negligence of the other party involved is crucial to recovering damages. An experienced lawyer gathers necessary evidence and presents a compelling case to demonstrate liability.
Negotiate with insurance adjusters
Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or deny claims. Your legal team handles communication with insurers to ensure your rights and interests stay protected and you get the full compensation to cover the damages you suffered.
Represent you in court
If your claim isn’t settled with the insurance company, a skilled lawyer will represent you and fight to get the settlement you deserve.
