What Types of Damages You Might Sustain in a Car Accident
The damages you’ll take in a car accident depend on multiple factors, including the severity of your injuries and the damage sustained.
You might think you may never be involved in a car accident, which is true. But the fact remains that accidents are inevitable.
So, read about the damages you can sustain from a car accident.
Property Damage
If you’re involved in a car accident, it’s possible that your vehicle could be damaged. In these cases, you’ll need to contact your auto insurance company immediately. You can also report the incident to the police if you feel comfortable doing so.
In a typical car accident lawsuit, property damage is often one of the most important things to consider.
If you can prove that your car was damaged due to an accident, then you may be entitled to compensation for the repairs that need to be made or replacement costs associated with getting your vehicle back on the road again.
However, this isn’t always the case—you’ll have to prove that there was damage and who did it to receive compensation for those expenses.
Physical Injuries
When you are involved in a car accident, your body is the first thing that takes severe damage.
Physical injuries can range from cuts and bruises to broken bones and head injuries. If you’re involved in car accidents resulting in a bodily injury, you must know your treatment options to decide whether to pursue them.
You should see your doctor as soon as possible after any accident that results in a physical injury, even if only a minor one. The sooner you get treatment for your injuries, the better the long-term results.
Emotional and Mental Damages
Emotional and mental damage is also one of the most common types of damage you might sustain in a car accident.
Emotional and mental damages include:
- Anxiety/Panic Attacks
- Depression/Loss of Hope
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
The problem with these types of damages is that they must show up immediately. They can take months or even years to show up after an accident.
The best way to avoid these types of damages is to get help from professionals specializing in this area, like therapists or psychiatrists. You can prevent them altogether by addressing them before they start getting worse.
Economic Losses
The economic losses you sustain in a car accident can be divided into two main categories: loss of income and loss of earning capacity.
Loss of income refers to decreased wages or salary due to a car accident. It can include lost wages due to absences from work and reduced hours. It also includes costs associated with medical treatment and rehabilitation (such as physical therapy or hospital stays).
Loss of earning capacity refers to the inability to work due to an injury sustained in a car accident. You may be entitled to compensation for lost earnings if you cannot work because of your injury.
In addition, if you cannot return to work because of the injuries sustained in the crash, you could be entitled to compensation for impairment-related losses such as those associated with pain and suffering.
Medical Expenses
Medical expenses are a big deal, significantly if you’re injured in a car accident. They can be expensive and time-consuming to deal with, and the odds are that they’ll be more costly than the money you’d have to spend on a physical therapy session.
If your accident was caused by negligence—like if you were driving while intoxicated or texting behind the wheel—you may also have to pay for their medical costs.
You may also have to pay for any lost wages that resulted from your negligence. If it has been for a few months since the accident, you could also be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering.
Final Thoughts
Although not every accident is severe, the experience can be traumatizing. We hope you will never have to deal with this situation, but if you do, know that you don’t have to accept injustice.
Instead, stay calm and try to know what you’re entitled to by consulting with a lawyer and getting the help you need to recover your physical and financial losses.
