Individuals who suffer personal injuries due to car accidents can seek different types of damages. Essentially, damages are divided into three broad categories: economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.
It does not matter at which stage you are in your car accident case, it is beneficial for you to have a thorough understanding of the types of damages you can recover. Itemizing and calculating your damages amount is an integral part of any car accident case.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are also known as compensatory damages. These types of damages concern quantifiable, out-of-pocket expenses. Some important types of economic damages are past and future medical expenses. Receipts, bills, and documents related to your medical treatment can help you substantiate your injuries.
Some injured victims are hospitalized due to their injuries. Also, it is possible that a doctor will recommend that an injured victim undergo surgery to treat an injury. These expenses are also categorized as economic damages.
Physical therapy sessions, rehabilitation, and pain management appointments are also relevant to your economic damages. You can also recover for property damage, lost earnings, and lost earning capacity. Some injured victims experience a loss of enjoyment of life after suffering injuries during an accident.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages refer to non-quantifiable elements such as severe emotional distress, pain and suffering, and psychological trauma. Reduced quality of life is also included when calculating non-economic damages. Some injury victims suffer amputations and disfigurement that can affect their quality of life.
Some injured victims may not be able to enjoy the activities or hobbies they participated in before the accident. Additional non-economic damages include loss of consortium and companionship.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are not intended to compensate an injured victim for the losses they suffer. Rather, punitive damages are designed to punish the responsible party for the personal injury or wrongful death of a loved one. Also, punitive damages are intended to deter the defendant from committing the same egregious conduct in the future.
A defendant must typically act wantonly, maliciously, or recklessly to warrant an award of punitive damages. Sometimes punitive damages are awarded to make an example out of a wealthy institution or individual.
Collecting Damages
If you suffer serious bodily injuries due to the negligence of another person, you can seek financial compensation for your injuries. You can collect damages once you have a judgment or award. However, some defendants will not have the ability or the willingness to pay the full damages amount.
You can still pursue the financial compensation you deserve. Searching for undisclosed assets is one of the first things you can do if a party refuses to pay a judgment. A lien can be placed on an individual’s property, and their wages can be garnished.
In most circumstances, interest can accrue on damages until the balance is paid in full. Understanding the options available to you regarding a judgment or award can help you assert your legal rights. Call our office at (314) 200-0723 or contact us here to speak to an attorney.