Car accidents are a serious problem in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 36,000 people died from motor vehicle crashes in 2018 alone. In Florida, more than 3,200 fatal car accidents occurred that same year – an increase of almost 2% compared to 2017. The number of non-fatal injuries resulting from car crashes also increased by 4%, totaling nearly 250,000 for 2018. Auto accident fatalities and injuries are significant public health concerns, especially in Florida.
After a car accident, you may be entitled to certain types of financial recoveries. These can include compensation for economic and non-economic damages incurred due to the accident. Economic damages, such as medical bills or lost wages due to missed work, are easily quantifiable. Non-economic damages refer to losses that do not have an exact dollar amount, such as pain and suffering or emotional distress caused by the crash. Understanding what kinds of recoveries you may be eligible for after an auto accident is important to ensure that all your needs are met following this traumatic event.
Understanding Car Accident Damages
Being involved in a car accident can be a traumatic experience, and the financial repercussions of such an event can be significant. It is important to understand what types of damages may be available to you after an auto accident so that you are aware of all your options for recovering from this difficult situation. This page will help explain the various forms of compensation available to you after an auto accident, including economic and non-economic damages. Knowing what kinds of recoveries might be possible for your situation can ensure that all your needs are met following this traumatic event.
Financial Cost of Car Accident Damages
In 2018, total economic damages from motor vehicle crash in the United States exceeded $237 billion. This included direct costs such as property damage, medical bills, and lost wages due to missed work, as well as indirect costs such as diminution in the quality of life and long-term medical expenses. In Florida alone, motor vehicle crashes resulted in more than $9.2 billion in total economic damages – an increase of 6% compared to 2017.
The financial cost of these car accidents is felt by both individuals and society at large. In terms of individual recoveries, victims may be eligible for a variety of types of compensation including financial losses related to property damage or medical bills, non-economic damages, punitive damages for particularly egregious acts of negligence on the part of the driver responsible for the accident, and even funeral expenses when applicable.
It is important to note that not all forms of compensation are equal. While medical bills can often be relatively easily quantified with receipts and other documentation, non-economic damages are much harder to calculate as they are subjective in nature. Further complicating matters is the fact that insurance companies may attempt to limit the amount paid out by offering lower settlement amounts than what is owed – making it important for survivors or their families to seek legal counsel after a car accident to ensure fair recoveries for all parties involved.
The cost associated with car accidents also goes beyond just financial recoveries. Beyond the physical harm suffered by victims and their families, motor vehicle crashes have also been shown to increase stress levels among survivors and witnesses resulting in higher instances of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This can lead to further psychological trauma requiring additional therapy or medication – adding yet another layer of expense onto an already costly situation. It is therefore essential that those involved in car accidents receive comprehensive care not only during their initial recovery period but also over time through ongoing mental health support services like counseling or support groups if needed.
Types of Car Accident Damage Categories
Car accidents can be devastating, resulting in physical harm to victims and their families as well as significant financial losses. Understanding the different types of damages that may be available for recovery following an auto accident is essential for ensuring that all your needs are met. This section will help explain the various categories of car accident damage, including economic recoveries such as medical bills and property damage, non-economic damages like pain and suffering or emotional distress, punitive damages for particularly egregious acts of negligence on the part of a driver responsible for an accident, and even funeral expenses when applicable. Knowing what kinds of compensation might be possible for your situation can ensure that you receive complete coverage for any losses incurred due to a motor vehicle crash.
Economic Damages
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Funeral expenses
- Loss of earning capacity
- Diminished value of property
- Vehicle rental fees
- Legal fees
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Mental anguish/trauma
- Loss of reputation or stature in the community
Wrongful Death Damages
- Loss of future income or benefits
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of companionship, comfort, guidance, and advice
- Pain and suffering endured by the deceased before their death
- Mental anguish suffered by surviving family members due to the loss of a loved one
- Loss of inheritance caused by premature death
- Medical bills incurred as a result of the fatal accident
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are a form of compensation awarded to victims in certain cases where the responsible party has acted with negligence or intentional misconduct. Punitive damages serve as an additional punishment for egregious behavior and can be imposed on top of any other forms of recoveries available. These types of damages are meant to deter similar conduct in the future and hold wrongdoers accountable for their actions. In some cases, punitive damages may even exceed economic losses incurred by a victim due to the severity of an offender’s behavior. It is important to note, however, that these awards are rarely granted. It is important for those seeking such relief after a car accident to seek legal counsel to determine if they qualify for punitive damage recoveries.
How To Collect Car Accident Damages
When recovering damages from a car accident, the amount and types of compensation available will depend on the circumstances surrounding your case.
To collect car accident damages, you need to prove that the other person was at fault for the accident. This means showing that they breached a duty of care and that their negligence caused your car accident injuries or property damage. To do this, you will need to provide evidence such as eyewitness testimony, photos from the scene of the accident, police reports, medical records and bills related to your injuries or property damage. You may also want to consult with an experienced attorney who can help you identify which types of recoveries might be available in your situation and how best to pursue them.
The following is a list of what must be proven to collect car accident damages:
The Duty of Care
The other party must have been obligated to act with a reasonable degree of care towards you. This means they should have acted as any prudent, responsible person would in the same or similar circumstances.
Breach of Duty
The other party must have failed to fulfill their duty of care (breached it) and caused the accident.
Causation
Your injuries or property damage must be directly linked to the breach/negligence on behalf of the other party for them to be held liable for damages incurred due to the car accident.
Damages
You will need to provide evidence demonstrating your economic losses such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage costs, as well as non-economic damages or emotional distress, punitive damages for particularly egregious acts of negligence on the part of a driver responsible for an accident, and even funeral expenses when applicable.
When seeking car accident damages, it is important to understand the evidence that can be used to support your car accident claim.
- Eyewitness testimony
- Photos from the accident scene
- Police reports
- Medical records and bills related to injuries or property damage
- Evidence of economic losses such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage costs
- Documentation of non-economic damages
- Punitive damages for particularly egregious acts of negligence on the part of a driver responsible for an accident
- Funeral expenses (if applicable)
How an attorney can help with recovering your car accident damages
Recovering damages from a car accident can be a complex and overwhelming process, especially when the other party is at fault. Having an experienced attorney who understands the evidence needed to prove negligence and collect recoveries can make all the difference in securing compensation for medical bills, property damage costs, lost wages, pain and suffering or emotional distress. An attorney will also be able to help identify which types of recoveries might be available in your situation and how best to pursue them. Furthermore, they may even be able to assist you with pursuing punitive damages for particularly egregious acts of negligence on behalf of the other driver responsible for causing your accident.
- Gather evidence such as eyewitness testimony, photos from the accident scene, police reports, medical records and bills related to injuries or property damage
- Establish that the other party was obligated to act with a reasonable degree of care toward you
- Determine if the other party breached their duty of care and caused the accident
- Calculate damages incurred due to the car accident including both economic losses (medical bills, lost wages, property damage costs) and non-economic damages (pain & suffering/emotional distress)
- Help identify any punitive damages for particularly egregious acts of negligence on behalf of a driver responsible for an accident
- Assist in pursuing recoveries from car accidents through negotiation or litigation as necessary
- Advocate for clients’ best interests throughout all stages of the recovery process
Why Choose Shiner Law Group To Help With Your Car Accident Claim
If you have been injured or suffered property damage in a car accident, Shiner Law Group can help. With years of experience representing clients affected by motor vehicle accidents, our attorneys understand the evidence needed to prove negligence and collect recoveries for medical bills, property damage costs, lost wages, pain and suffering or emotional distress. We are committed to advocating for your best interests throughout all stages of the recovery process. From gathering evidence like eyewitness testimony and photos from the accident scene to helping identify any punitive damages available in your situation, our experienced team is dedicated to securing you the maximum amount of compensation possible.
Shiner Law Group Car Accident Settlements
- $6 million settlement for a client who was injured in a head-on collision
- $3 million settlement for a family affected by an auto accident involving multiple vehicles
- $2 million settlement for a motorcyclist injured when another driver failed to yield the right of way
- $1 million settlement on behalf of a pedestrian struck by an automobile while crossing the street
- $500,000 jury verdict obtained against the defendant in an auto negligence case
- $200,000 secured on behalf of the client involved in a car crash with an intoxicated driver
- $250,000+ awarded to a client whose vehicle was rear-ended at high speed
- $175,000 award was obtained after the trucking company failed to take proper safety precautions
- Over six figures were recovered in a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent driver
Contact Shiner Law Group Today
At Shiner Law Group, we understand the complexity of pursuing car accident recoveries and are committed to advocating for your best interests throughout all stages of the recovery process. We have years of experience representing clients affected by motor vehicle accidents and securing them the maximum compensation possible.
Contact us today if you’ve been injured or suffered property damage in a car accident so that we can help secure just compensation for your losses! Call us at (800) 364-4444 or fill out our free online case evaluation form and an attorney will follow up with you right away.
