Becoming a victim of a car accident in Fort Lauderdale can be detrimental to your overall well-being. In addition to the impact on your health, recovering can significantly dampen your finances. You should be aware that you have every right to sue the responsible party for monetary damages.
When a person has suffered injuries and other damages after such a devastating accident, they can receive financial compensation for certain types of damages. A skilled attorney will make sure that you receive the reward you deserve.
Money Damages Victims Can Recover
As personal injury law defines, “damages” refers to the amount of money a victim is awarded to compensate them for their medical bills and other expenses relating directly to the accident and injury.
Individuals who sustain injuries from car accidents may be entitled to recover the following compensatory damages:
- Economic: This refers to money the victim has lost or will lose in the future because of the accident.
- Non-economic: This refers to physical and emotional distress.
Additional damages may include punitive damages. Though rarely awarded, punitive damages intend to punish the liable party for excessive negligence or recklessness. An offender who pays exorbitant fees in punitive damages may set an example to others to be more cautious.
Economic Damages
Economic damages refer to the expenses a victim endures after suffering injuries from a car accident. These expenses are documented and can be proven in a personal injury claim. They include the following:
- Medical bills and ongoing medical treatment
- Medical equipment or devices
- Transportation to therapy and doctor’s appointments
- Lost wages and potential earnings
- Loss of future earnings
- Vehicle repair
- Costs for household services
An injury can inhibit the victim’s ability to work, which makes it hard to cover all the medical bills. Medical bills are one of the top reasons most people file for bankruptcy. You may be able to avoid all that by making sure you have a skilled personal injury lawyer representing you against the insurance company.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages develop after an accident. These damages directly affect a person’s quality of life. You can sue to receive money for pain and suffering, as well as mental anguish.
A Fort Lauderdale car accident victim may receive non-economic damages when the any of the following are involved:
- Serious loss of bodily function or permanent loss of function
- Permanent disfigurement or scarring
- Permanent injury
These types of damages compensate a person for their inability to perform basic functions, such as care for a child, work, or do other things that most people take for granted. Considerations for non-economic damages include physical pain, mental anguish, disability, and loss of consortium as the damages attempt to reimburse the victim for a reduced quality of life.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages may also be awarded to an injured person. This is compensation that is awarded due to a malicious act on the part of the defendant. For example, if the car accident occurred as a result of road rage, the plaintiff could claim punitive damages.
The aim of these damages being awarded is to punish the individual who committed the wrongful act to stop them and others from performing them. These damages are usually rare in personal injury cases.
Speak with a Fort Lauderdale accident attorney near you to discover what options for recovery may be available in your specific case. At Salpeter Gitkin, LLP, our team of attorneys strives to protect victims and reap the maximum compensation available under the law. Call 954-467-8622 or email us for a free consultation.
