A car accident can leave you nursing severe injuries, some of which may have life-long effects. Treatment may require extensive hospitalization or rehabilitation. On top of dealing with the medical expenses, you may not be in a position to continue working as you recover. The financial implications can be dire.
If you are a victim, it’s only natural to wonder about the potential value of your claim before taking any further action.
There are two basic types of damages you can claim
There are two types of compensatory damages you may claim: Economic and non-economic.
If you incurred any costs in treating your injuries or lost wages because you could no longer go to work, those are economic damages you can claim. In addition, if your injuries caused you pain and suffering, emotional anguish, or loss of consortium, those are non-economic damages. You deserve to be compensated for those, too.
However, under a special provision of law, you may be barred from collecting non-economic damages if you were uninsured or driving under the influence at the time of the accident.
Unlike some states that put a cap on the damages you may recover, California has no legally imposed limit on recoverable damages for car accident injuries. However, you may be limited in your recovery by how much insurance is involved.
How you can maximize your payout
Ideally, your compensation should cover all the damages you suffer. The best way to maximize your payout and avoid leaving money on the table is to make sure that you have experienced legal guidance from the very start.
