What Types of Damages Are Included in Accident Compensation? Insurance companies are very good in reducing compensation after an accident. They may question the severity of your injuries or claim that you are the one to blame. Don't let them pressure you to settle. Collect as much information as possible including medical records, police reports witness testimony, photos of the wreckage, and more. Medical expenses Medical expenses are an essential part of any accident claim. This type of damage encompasses a broad range of medical-related expenses. These include hospital bills, doctor's appointments, prescriptions, ambulance bills and other healthcare costs related to injuries that result from an accident. This type of damage can also include additional expenses like physical therapy and follow up treatment to ensure that a victim's injury is fully healed. These expenses must be documented and they must be included in any request for an accident settlement. The insurance company will review them to determine if they're reasonable and essential, which will vary based on the nature of the accident and the extent of the person's injuries. If a person had to have a limb removed due to their injury, they'll likely require more ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation than an ankle that was sprained in the course of a fall. Generally speaking, insurance companies will pay an injured person their medical expenses as they are incurred. This is because they do not expect the injured person to pay out-of-pocket for their medical treatment on a regular basis. Instead the insurance company believes that these expenses will be covered by their accident compensation payout. Some people have health insurance that covers all or most of their medical expenses, but many don't. If a car accident victim is not covered to cover medical expenses, they could typically file for personal injury protection (PIP) benefits through their auto insurer. These benefits may cover the victim's first hospital visit, as the ambulance or emergency room costs. In most cases, the accident victim's medical insurance will pay any remaining expenses after all other insurances have been exhausted. However, hospitals may ask that a patient sign a lien agreement which grants the patient the right to collect what they owe from the settlement of a personal injury. Certain drivers also have "med-pay" coverage in their policies for vehicles, which pays for their medical expenses up to a certain amount, such as $10,000. In this scenario the car insurance will pay for any medical expenses they incur up to the limit of med pay and then request reimbursement from their accident settlement for any balance. Pain and suffering In a personal injury case it is possible for pain and suffering to be awarded as non-economic damages to the person who caused your accident. They are intended to pay for the physical and emotional trauma that you have experienced because of the accident. These damage is more difficult to quantify than medical costs or lost wages but are just as devastating. Your lawyer may use various methods to estimate your suffering and pain. For instance, they could request details about how your injuries have affected your life and whether the injuries will cause lasting harm. They may also ask for detailed medical documentation detailing your injuries, pictures of the wreckage and other physical evidence to prove your case. Physical injuries that result from an accident are painful, and can last for days, weeks months, or even all of a lifetime. They can affect your daily routine, cause you to miss out on certain activities, or even alter your life. In addition to physical pain, accidents usually cause mental distress and emotional anxiety as well. This is referred to as mental anguish under Florida law. It can be characterized by a myriad of symptoms including anxiety, depression, grief, fear, shock, and anger. The more evidence that you can present regarding the negative effects of your injuries, then the more likely that an insurance company, juror or judge will pay you for the pain and suffering. It is important to gather as much information about the accident as possible, including medical records, police reports and photos of the scene, as well as witness testimony. It is crucial to understand that there is not a set amount for pain, suffering and other damages. This means that your lawyer must gather all the evidence necessary to demonstrate the worth of your claim. Prepare yourself for a deposition during which the attorney representing you will inquire about your injuries and how it has impacted your life. Prepare to answer honestly, clearly and with facts in order to maximize your settlement. A competent lawyer will help you prepare for this so that you can present a convincing and strong case. Property damaged Car accidents can also cause destruction to the property of the victim. If you are able to prove that you were in some way directly or indirectly a victim of another's negligence in a car crash then you could be entitled to compensation for property damage. This includes reimbursement for the value of your vehicle as well as other personal possessions. This is referred to as economic damages. The compensation will cover all costs you've incurred as the result of the accident. It is crucial to keep track of all the expenses that you incur for damage to your property following an accident. You should have receipts and bills that detail the exact price of each item. These documents will be required if you file a claim for damage to your property with the at-fault driver's insurance company. It is also good to take pictures of the scene of the accident and any damage you might have sustained. This will help you to get the maximum amount of property damage compensation. One of the most common mistakes people make is to underestimate the value of their property damaged. You should hire an expert to appraise your property to ensure that you don't miss valuable compensation for property damage. Your lawyer can help you obtain an accurate valuation of your property and help you in filing your claim. It is an excellent idea to contact your insurance provider and report the incident immediately. This will ensure that you're in compliance with the deadline set by the insurance company for filing a claim for property damage. This will allow you to have additional time should you disagree with the insurance company about the value of your property. A car crash is traumatizing and could alter your life in an instant. The emotional and financial effects for victims and their family members can be devastating. It is crucial to get a lawyer on the case immediately if you have been injured in a car accident. This will allow you to get the compensation you deserve. Lost wages Missing out on a paycheck can be a huge blow to anyone living paycheck-to-paycheck. Even worse, if you can't return to work immediately. Following a car accident most people are forced to utilize their vacation time, sick leave, or PTO in order to recover. However these benefits are only offered if your employer permits them or if you have enough savings to cover your expenses until you are back at work. If you submit a claim for lost wages, you are seeking compensation for the amount you have missed out on because of your injury. If you are able to return to work in a restricted capacity, for example, light duty, you may still be owed the difference between your wage prior to the accident and the lower rate you are now earning. This includes any performance or overtime bonuses you would have earned. Evidence of the loss must be submitted with your claim, for example pay stubs or other documents pertaining to wages. You can also submit other documents, such as invoices, profit and loss statements and more. Lost wages are a type of specific damages that must be proved in order to be awarded. This differs from general damages that are based on what the law "presumes" and do not require any proof. It is important to remember that missing out on the chance to earn a future income could be a factor in your claim for lost wages. This is referred to as lost earning capacity, which looks at the effects of your injuries on your ability to perform your job. It is normally calculated by professionals. In New York, the at-fault insurance provider for the driver must reimburse you for your lost earnings or wages (as as long as you've submitted an acceptable claim within 30 days and your own doctor confirms that you're not able to work). Your auto insurance policy will provide you with up to $2000 per month for a period of three years until you're allowed to return to work.