A car accident can occur in a split second, but it can have severe financial ramifications and may even be a life-changing event. This happens every day, even to drivers who didn’t make any mistakes, but were simply hit by other negligent drivers that they were sharing the road with.
There are some types of compensation that people often think of right away if they’ve been involved in a crash. They need to fix the damage to the vehicle. They need compensation for their medical bills, which they know they didn’t deserve because the crash wasn’t their fault. But it’s important not to overlook potential types of compensation and to consider your case carefully when determining what you really do deserve.
Areas to consider
The two areas noted above are certainly a good place to begin, especially when you have significant medical bills. But here are some other things to keep in mind:
- Future medical expenses, such as in-home services or rehabilitation.
- Emergency medical fees, such as the cost of an emergency room or an ambulance.
- Pain and suffering that you had to endure during or after the accident.
- Lost wages if you were forced to miss any time at work while you were injured.
- Lost earning capacity or lost future wages if you cannot return to your job.
- The loss of affection or companionship if you had a loved one in the vehicle who passed away in the crash.
It’s very problematic to overlook any of these costs and settle the case. If you accept money that covers your immediate medical costs but not the long-term care costs, for instance, you could find that money running out long before you anticipated. This is why it’s so important to know about all the legal steps you can take to seek proper financial compensation.