A car accident is a traumatic and damaging event. On top of the physical and psychological impact of the incident, you are also likely to face significant financial concerns. Injuries from a car accident often require emergency transport and care, hospital stays, surgeries, and ongoing doctor visits. Facing growing medical costs and car repair or replacement costs while you are unable to work can quickly become stressful.
Contacting an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible is the best way to alleviate these worries. Your attorney can evaluate your case and explain the various recoverable damages after a Houston car accident.
How Do You Get Compensation?
All Texas drivers are required to have liability insurance to pay for damages and injuries in an accident they cause. If another driver behaved negligently (speeding, disobeying traffic signals, distracted driving, etc.), a victim can submit a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer. When the driver is uninsured or the policy limits fail to cover the full cost of damages, victims may be able to file a claim with their own insurance company. Policies that include uninsured motorist coverage or personal injury protection pay claims regardless of who is at fault, and in some cases, a lawsuit may be necessary to pursue damages.
Types of Compensation Awarded in Car Accidents
The types of damages that can be pursued following a Houston car accident depend on the circumstances and severity of the accident. Compensation may be awarded for economic and non-economic damages related to the accident.
Economic Compensation
Economic damages are those directly related to expenses a victim faces due to an accident, and include the following.
- Medical payments (including emergency care and past and future medical costs related to injuries sustained in the accident
- Property repair or replacement costs related to damage to your vehicle or other property
- Lost wages due to missed work during recovery or loss of future earning potential
- Miscellaneous expenses related to the need to pay for help with household chores (like cleaning, cooking, or childcare) while recovering from injuries
An experienced car accident attorney can assess each case and provide more information about which types of compensation apply.
Non-Economic Compensation
Non-economic compensation describes financial awards paid for damages without a tangible cost. Often referred to as pain and suffering, these awards include payment for the following:
- Chronic pain
- Loss of cognitive function
- Paralysis or loss of mobility
- Depression, anxiety, or PTSD
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
The type of non-economic compensation awarded will depend on the nature of the accident and specific injuries sustained.
Contact a Houston Attorney About Recovering Damages After a Car Crash
Since every car accident is unique, there is no one-size-fits-all amount for a car wreck settlement. Recoverable damages after a Houston car accident are determined by the circumstances of the accident and the damages sustained by the victims.
Insurance companies frequently try to dispute claims or offer lowball settlements that fail to cover the full scope of damages. When you need a skilled legal advocate in your corner following an accident, the attorneys at Schechter Shaffer & Harris are prepared to help. We negotiate with insurance companies and are prepared to go to trial when necessary. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
