New York Civil Rights And Criminal Defense Lawyers

Car accidents: What kind of damages can I seek?

On Behalf of | Monday Apr 17, 2017 | Personal Injury

As the victim of a car accident in New York, you may be struggling to come to terms with the aftermath of your ordeal. In addition to recovering from your injuries, you may have unpaid bills piling up because you are unable to return to work. Depending on your insurance coverage, your insurer may not cover all of your expenses. You may need to file a claim for damages to help improve your situation.

Before filing a lawsuit, you should learn about the kinds of damages you may receive.

Lost wages and earning capacity

Your injuries are so severe that you cannot perform your job duties and earn income. You also need to undergo treatment which includes ongoing therapy that prevents you from going to work. There may also be other medical challenges you are experiencing that affect your current and future ability to earn an income. Because your car accident injuries are causing you to lose work pay and affecting your earning capacity, you can include them in your claim.

Medical bills and treatments

The more severe your injuries are, the more medical costs you will incur. You might focus on what you can receive for the injuries you are experiencing now, but it is not uncommon for several days to pass after your ordeal before more car accident injuries appear. No matter when they appear, you can receive money to cover your medical expenses. There are stipulations that affect the amount you can claim. The medical costs you incur must relate to your car accident. You cannot receive compensation for old injuries or new conditions that occur that do not relate to your car accident situation.

Pain and suffering

Your ability to receive compensation for pain and suffering depends on the circumstances involving your accident and how they affect your life. You cannot seek pain and suffering if you only have a few bruises and minor scrapes.

You may be able to receive other types of compensation for your car accident. Matters involving car accident claims can become complicated. You should speak to an attorney about your situation for guidance.

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