So many financial expenses can arise after a major car accident. Many people find themselves overwhelmed by these costs. Knowing what you can be compensated for after a car accident is important for easing this stress. Depending on what happened, you could be eligible for substantial compensation if another driver was at fault for the accident. Talk to a Kansas City car accident lawyer to learn more.
Types of Car Accident Compensation
There are three main types of compensatory damages for a car accident. These include economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages. Some damages are harder to prove than others. You may have only experienced some of these damages, depending on the severity of the accident.
Economic Damages
Economic damages describe any kind of direct financial loss caused by a car accident. This might look like car repair costs, property damages, and medical bills. When injuries are severe, this could also mean medication expenses, travel costs to doctor appointments, and future ongoing medical bills for things like physical therapy.
Lost wages and future lost wages also count as economic damages. These are common for people who had to miss work after the accident due to their injury. All of these economic damages can be proven with documents like bill statements, pay stubs, and receipts.
Non-Economic Damages
Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages are not usually proven with documents. Non-economic damages describe subjective harm caused by the accident and are usually of a psychological nature. Common examples include emotional distress, pain and suffering, physical pain, loss of enjoyment, inconvenience, and loss of companionship.
Consider contacting a Kansas City car accident lawyer to find out how you can prove non-economic damages. Therapy records, witness testimonies, and documenting your pain are a few examples of how these damages might be proven.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are reserved for the most severe cases of blatant recklessness and disregard for the safety of others. These damages are awarded to punish and discourage the driver at fault from committing the same actions again.
Ways to Maximize Your Compensation
You do not have to settle for the first offer the auto insurance company gives you. The first offer might be too low and may not cover all your damages as a result. There are ways to maximize car accident compensation.
One of the most powerful ways to do this is by documenting your car accident expenses as much as possible. This means taking pictures of your injuries, vehicle damages, and property damages. Write down all the details related to the car accident and any damages you suffered, both economic and non-economic.
Obtain copies of your medical records and the police report. These could make the difference between compensation and no compensation.