The aftermath of a car accident can be costly, especially if there are injuries involved. Insurance is meant to reimburse damages. However, insurance companies would rather provide the minimum possible amount of compensation.
One of the best ways to fight for the payment you are entitled to is to hire an attorney experienced in car accident cases. They can advise you on how to navigate the legal and insurance worlds as well as how to optimize your claim. In addition to consulting a lawyer, here are some other details to keep in mind.
Economic damages refer to tangible losses. These include the cost to repair or replace a vehicle, the price of car rentals, and other damaged property, such as broken cellphones. It also applies to injury fees, such as surgery, medication, physical therapy, and so on. Lost wages incurred from injuries or inability to travel to work are another form of economic damages.
People seeking compensation through a personal injury claim for economic losses should save any and all documents related to expenses incurred. These include receipts for replacements and repairs, as well as medical bills. Paperwork will help prove how much money should be compensated.
What Are Non-Economic Damages?
Non-economic losses are less objective and may be more challenging to prove. They include emotional harm, including pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment, and loss of consortium. One way to confirm pain and suffering is to have medical professionals record physical pain from the injury and subsequent treatment. They can also record psychological symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, in addition to bodily discomfort.
If familial relationships change after a car accident, leading to loss of affection or emotional support, reduced physical contact or other negative effects, it might be loss of consortium.
Loss of enjoyment is a more encompassing term, which can refer to inability to engage in hobbies, diminished social life, and other limitations on pleasurable activities. Keeping a journal after a car accident and collecting statements from family and close friends may help prove these losses.
Comparative Negligence in Pennsylvania
Comparative negligence is another factor in determining compensation. In Pennsylvania, when two motorists share blame for a car accident, they are assigned a percentage of fault. The percentage of fault is removed from the damages awarded. For example, if total damages are $50,000 but the plaintiff is 20 percent responsible, the awarded damages will be $40,000. If someone is over 50 percent at fault, they will receive no money.
What Is Choice No-Fault Insurance?
When you buy car insurance in Pennsylvania, you have the option to buy no-fault insurance. If you are involved in a car accident, no-fault insurance means your insurance company will provide compensation regardless of who caused the accident. The amount of compensation received through insurance depends on the severity of your injuries as well as the coverage you chose when buying car insurance. You may only file a third-party insurance claim or legal action against the other driver under certain parameters outlined in Pennsylvania law.
Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC Provide Legal Guidance to Clients Seeking Compensation Following an Accident
If you have been injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. One of our experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC can help you explore your legal options. Call us at 215-569-8488 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia and Abington, Pennsylvania, as well as Wilmington, Delaware, we serve clients throughout the surrounding areas.