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Car accidents can be life-altering, leaving victims with physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial burdens. If you’ve been involved in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. However, understanding the types of compensation available can be confusing.
At DeRango & Cain, LLC, we help car accident victims navigate the legal process and secure the compensation they deserve. Here are the main types of compensation you can receive after a car accident:
1. Medical Expenses
One of the most significant financial burdens following a car accident is medical bills. These expenses can quickly add up, especially if you’ve sustained severe injuries. Compensation for medical expenses typically covers:
- Emergency room visits
- Surgeries
- Hospital stays
- Physical therapy
- Prescription medications
- Follow-up doctor visits
If your injuries require ongoing treatment or long-term care, your compensation may also cover future medical expenses. This ensures you don’t have to bear the costs of ongoing treatments alone.
2. Lost Wages
After a car accident, your injuries may prevent you from returning to work for some time. In such cases, you can seek compensation for the wages you lost during your recovery period. This can cover:
- Lost salary or hourly wages
- Bonuses or commissions
- Lost earning capacity (if you are permanently unable to return to your previous job or level of income)
In cases where your injuries affect your ability to work long-term, you may also be entitled to compensation for future lost earnings. This helps ensure your financial stability even if your career has been impacted by the accident.
3. Property Damage
In addition to physical injuries, car accidents often result in damage to your vehicle and other personal property. You can seek compensation for:
- Vehicle repairs or replacement
- Damage to personal property inside the vehicle (such as electronics, clothing, or luggage)
Your compensation should cover the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle, as well as any items that were damaged in the accident.
4. Pain and Suffering
Physical injuries aren’t the only consequence of a car accident. Many accident victims experience pain, suffering, and emotional distress as a result of their injuries. Compensation for pain and suffering is intended to address the non-economic impact of your accident, including:
- Chronic pain
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Calculating pain and suffering compensation can be more complex than other types of damages, but a skilled personal injury attorney will help ensure that you receive a fair amount.
5. Loss of Consortium
In some cases, a car accident may affect your relationship with your spouse or family. Loss of consortium refers to the loss of companionship, emotional support, and intimacy due to your injuries. If your injuries have severely impacted your ability to maintain these relationships, your spouse or family members may be entitled to compensation for this loss.
6. Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are awarded in cases where the at-fault party’s behavior was particularly reckless or egregious. These damages are not meant to compensate you for your losses, but rather to punish the at-fault party and deter others from engaging in similar behavior. For example, punitive damages may be awarded in cases involving drunk driving or excessive speeding.
Maximize Your Compensation with DeRango & Cain, LLC
Understanding the types of compensation available after a car accident is essential to ensuring you receive the full amount you’re entitled to. At DeRango & Cain, LLC, we are committed to helping car accident victims get the compensation they need to recover and move forward. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, contact us today at (815) 216-5911 for a free consultation.