Damages in a Florida Car Accident
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to obtain compensation for the damages you’ve incurred. “Damages” is the legal term used to describe the economic and non-economic expenses you’ve had to deal with due to the accident as well as your injury.
Arye P. Corbett is an experienced attorney who will work passionately to help you obtain the compensation you need. You can contact our office online, or you can call (561) 948-3700 for a free review of your case.
The following is important information on car accidents in general, and the types of damages for which you may be able to pursue compensation.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
An automobile accident can take place for a number of reasons. The following are just a few of the more common ones.
Traveling at an unsafe rate of speed – It seems like people are busier than ever. Unfortunately, this can often result in devastating car wrecks. When someone is in a hurry, they’re going to be more prone to driving too fast. Speeding reduces a driver’s response time, making them unable to react to unexpected occurrences. For example, a speeding driver won’t be as able to avoid a car that suddenly has to stop.
Distracted driving – When you combine being in a hurry with all the gadgets found in today’s vehicles – not to mention smartphones – you can see why distracted driving is such a problem. It doesn’t take long for a distraction to lead to an accident. When a driver takes their attention off of the road for even a few seconds, that’s more than enough time to cause a serious wreck.
Reckless driving – This ties in with the speeding example above. When people feel they simply have to get to a certain destination at a certain time, they tend to take more chances. As a result, they’ll be more apt to be involved in a collision.
Common Injuries Associated with Car Accidents
Just as there are a lot of potential reasons for an automobile wreck, there are also many different injuries that can result from an accident. These are just a few of the ones that often occur.
Whiplash – Whiplash is a form of neck injury that will typically result from a rear-end collision. This kind of accident leads to a very fast, whip-like movement of the neck. Thankfully, whiplash will usually resolve on its own with no permanent complications. But this is a very painful injury that can lead to days or weeks of debilitation.
Cuts and scrapes – A car accident will typically lead to a lot of broken glass – which, of course, means potentially severe cuts. When drivers and other vehicle occupants are lucky, their cuts are minor and don’t require medical attention. In far too many instances, however, cuts can lead to serious consequences.
Head injury – Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is another type of injury that happens a lot during automobile wrecks. The head can hit a windshield, dash or other parts of a car. When this happens, the brain hits the inside of the skull. A TBI can lead to a lifetime of impairment – victims will often have problems with memory and speech. They may no longer be able to work as a result.
What Types of Compensation Can You Receive for Your Injuries?
As mentioned earlier, you can pursue compensation for the damages that have resulted from the accident and the injuries you suffered. They are broken down into three categories: economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages. Here’s a closer look at each.
Economic Damages
These are the tangible losses you’ve incurred because of another’s negligence. They include medical bills, prescription costs, doctor’s visits, lost wages (both past and future) and others. If your injury is so severe that it will have permanent complications, you may also be able to claim ongoing care damages.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages aren’t black-and-white. You usually can’t, for instance, produce a piece of paper that shows how much you’ve spent for the pain and suffering you’ve been forced to endure. Loss of earning capacity is another example of non-economic damages. You could pursue compensation if you can no longer work in your chosen profession due to your injury. Another type of non-economic damages is known as loss of consortium. This happens due to stress caused by the accident that has led to the end of a marriage or a relationship.
Punitive Damages
When a jury awards punitive damages, they are doing to (as the name implies) “punish” the negligent party. Punitive damages aren’t awarded very often, but when they are they are typically extremely large. If you were hurt in an accident caused by particularly egregious behavior, such as street racing or driving under the influence, there may be a chance you could receive punitive damages.
It’s extremely important to note that you will need hard evidence in order to show the damages that have resulted from the accident. This is one of the many reasons why you’ll need the help of an attorney.
What Factors Affect the Amount of Compensation You Receive?
The amount of compensation you may be entitled to, or the “value” of your case, will depend on a lot of things. For example, if the at-fault driver has caused multiple wrecks in the past, you might be able to get more money. If that person was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, that could also increase the value. Other factors include the costs of treatment, the severity of your injuries, and more.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney to Discuss Your Options
Please don’t try to represent yourself in any kind of car accident case. You’ll be going up against insurance companies that have incredibly skilled attorneys who will do everything they can to deny you the compensation you deserve. Arye P. Corbett is just as skilled, and just as experienced.
Get in touch with our office as soon as possible for a free consultation. Use our online form or call (561) 948-3700.