How Car Accident Damages are Calculated

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you may have concerns about calculating your damages. First, it’s important to seek immediate treatment for any injuries from your car accident.

But in the aftermath of a crash, getting treatment is just the first step. As the victim of a car accident, the most critical course of action you can take is to protect your rights. When you’ve suffered in a wreck that occurred through no fault of your own, you must seek your fair compensation to cover any damages you’ve sustained.

If you sustained injuries in an accident and have further questions about how to calculate your damages, contact the Phoenix auto accident attorneys at ELG. Our team of auto accident lawyers is here to help with a free, no-hassle consultation to review your options. In the meantime, read our calculation guidance to ensure that you’re on the right track in assessing your accident damages.

Types of Car Accident Damages

Vehicle and Property Damage – It’s common to sustain damage to your car in an accident. Therefore, the most basic type of compensation after a wreck is for property damage. This compensation, often provided by the at-fault driver’s insurance, may cover the cost to repair or replace a vehicle. The compensation will also cover any other personal property damaged in the accident. Remember to retain all receipts or bills for repairing or replacing your car.

Medical Treatment and Related Expenses – Arguably the most important component of accident damages, medical bills usually make up a significant portion of a claim. After an accident, medical bills may result from the diagnosis, hospitalization, and injury treatment costs. Following your initial treatment, you may have bills for prescriptions and other over-the-counter medications used for pain or healing.

You will need to keep medical documents to get reimbursement for your expenses. Typically, these documents will include doctor notes, treatment bills, medical records, therapy notes, and prescription bottles or receipts.

Future Earning Capacity and Loss of Wages – In some instances, an accident can impact your earning capacity and wage potential. For example, you may sustain a serious injury that causes you to become temporarily or even permanently disabled. In this case, you may be unable to return to work, resulting in lost earning capacity.

Not only is it important that you retain a lawyer, but it’s also vital to provide documentation for this portion of your claim. You’ll want to have documents on hand noting your regular rate of pay and the number of hours you’ve missed from work, to start. This can help you pursue any lost wages.

Pain and Suffering – Finally, know that some damages are not easy to quantify. For example, many accident victims experience ongoing physical trauma or emotional pain and suffering. You may require counseling or psychological therapy. Thankfully, though these damages are harder to quantify, you can be reimbursed. Especially since the at-fault driver in your accident is financially responsible for all sustained injuries and damages in Arizona.

Securing Your Fair Compensation

Now that you’ve calculated your damages, it’s time to make your claim. Most cases are resolved through an insurance settlement based on the value of those damages covered by the policy. However, an insurance company can only observe a policy’s limit. Therefore, your payout could be limited.

Luckily, you can obtain further compensation by filing a claim. If an insurance settlement does not cover your damages, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. Keep in mind that you will have to show the other driver was at fault. You and your lawyer will have to prove that the at-fault driver is responsible for the full extent of your damages.

Vehicle Accident Attorney in Arizona

Car accidents are an unfortunate reality of life, but protecting your rights after a crash is essential. Safeguarding your legal rights can make your recovery as stress-free as possible. If you’ve been injured in a wreck, contact our compassionate and knowledgeable Phoenix auto accident attorneys at ELG. Contact our injury attorneys at (623) 877-3600 for a no-obligation free consultation and legal aid today.