What Damages Are Available in Car Accident Cases?

A serious car accident can have a significant, lasting impact on your life. They can cause an unexpected financial burden, severe injury, and even impact your ability to earn income in the future. Fortunately, you may be able to recover compensation from the party responsible for your car accident. Obtaining fair compensation, however, will require that you or your attorney take the time to understand the full extent of your injuries and prove how substantial the impact they have had or will have on your life is.

Medical Expenses

Car accidents can result in numerous medical expenses, including:

• Ambulance services
• Emergency medical treatment
• Hospital stays
• Doctor bills
• Specialist visits
• Medication
• Lab and imaging tests
• Visits to occupational and physical therapists
• Medical equipment
• Skilled nursing or in-home care

Because medical expenses can be such a significant part of your damages claim, keep all of your medical records and bills.

Your damages can also include any medical expenses you reasonably anticipate occurring in the future. Your lawyer can work with your doctors or medical experts to help determine your future care needs.

Lost Income

If you are recovering from your injuries or seeking medical treatment, you may lose a portion of your income. This could include:

• Lost wages or salary
• Overtime pay
• Bonuses
• Tips
• Commissions
• Employment benefits
• Fringe benefits

Keep all records that show your lost wages, such as letters from your employer, check stubs, and documents that show the days you missed from work. If you are self-employed, keep copies of your tax returns and other documents that show the opportunities you lost because of your injuries.

In addition to your lost wages, you can also recover compensation for any permanent reduction in your long-term earning potential. For this type of damage claim, you will likely need an expert witness to testify about your pre- and post-accident earning capacity.

Property Damage

You also have the right to recover compensation for the damage to your vehicle. If your vehicle can be repaired, the other driver’s insurance can cover these costs. If the cost to repair the damage to your vehicle exceeds the value of your vehicle, you have the right to receive the fair market value of your vehicle. Keep all invoices and estimates related to your car accident repairs.

Out-of-Pocket Expenses

You may incur various other expenses because of the accident. Keep receipts and other documentation of your related out-of-pocket expenses, such as:

• Rental car costs
• Tolls
• Rideshare service costs
• Mileage to and from doctor appointments
• Over-the-counter medications and supplies

Pain and Suffering

Not all losses related to car accidents are easy to quantify. However, car accident victims are still eligible to recover compensation for them, such as pain and suffering. One way to help document pain and suffering is by keeping a journal in which you provide the following details on a regular basis:

• How you are feeling
• The symptoms you are experiencing
• The treatment you are receiving
• How the car accident has affected your life

Non-Economic Damages

In addition to pain and suffering, you may be able to recover compensation for other non-economic damages, such as:

• Disability
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Psychological conditions, like PTSD, depression, and anxiety
• Mental anguish and emotional distress

It can be difficult to determine the value of these types of losses. An experienced lawyer can help.

If You’ve Been Injured, We Are Here to Listen

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Austin, it is in your best interests to speak with an attorney.  At FVF Law, we are here to help. Through a free consultation, our Austin car accident lawyer can listen to the facts surrounding your case and thoroughly explain your options, whether you hire us or not.  Call (512) 640-2146 to speak with an attorney when you are ready.