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Thanks to the no-fault approach to car insurance and accident litigation enshrined in Pennsylvania state law, it is not uncommon for car accident cases to be resolved solely through insurance claims without a court ever getting involved. If you have suffered serious and long-lasting injuries in a wreck someone else caused, it is important for you to not only understand when you have the right to file suit, but also what specific damages you can seek compensation for.
Recoverable damages after an Erie car accident can vary greatly from person to person, especially if you have already received at least some restitution through insurance. Support from a knowledgeable car accident lawyer can help you get paid everything you deserve regardless of how your crash happened or how long it will continue to impact your life.
Getting Paid for Economic Forms of Harm
Economic damages in Erie car accident claims are losses that can be assessed as an objective financial value based on quantitative evidence like:
- Bills
- Invoices
- Receipts
- Pay stubs
Medical bills for injury-related care usually make up a substantial portion of these damages in a typical claim, as do things like:
- The costs of repairing or replacing a damaged vehicle
- Lost work income or long-term working ability as a result of a serious injury
- Various other out-of-pocket expenses can be traced directly back to the accident in question
Notably, if insurance provides reimbursement for a specific loss stemming from a car crash, the person who suffered that loss cannot then seek compensation again for that same loss through an ensuing civil claim. However, it is possible and often important to seek civil restitution for portions of an economic loss that insurance did not cover—for example, continuing medical bills beyond what the coverage limits of an insurance policy reimbursed.
How Are Non-Economic Damages Valued in Car Crash Claims?
Non-economic damages have purely subjective values based on an injured person’s unique experiences and needs. The archetypal example of this sort of loss is physical pain and suffering, but comprehensive claims can also account for things like:
- Emotional anguish
- Psychological trauma
- Decline in overall quality/enjoyment of life caused by a new disability or disfigurement
Courts typically calculate non-economic damages after auto collisions in Erie by adding a multiplier to the amount of economic damages caused by that same wreck, or by equating a certain amount of subjective pain and suffering to a specific objective amount of working time and income. Either way, representation from skilled legal counsel can be vital to ensuring a court or an insurance company recognizes the severity of a particular person’s injuries and agrees they should be compensated accordingly.
An Erie Lawyer Can Maximize Your Recoverable Damages After a Car Accident
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to filing suit over a motor vehicle wreck, and there especially is not a single amount of money that can fairly address every car crash victim’s unique losses. By working closely with seasoned legal representation, though, you can boost your chances of getting paid what you deserve without running into any legal or procedural roadblocks along the way.
A qualified legal professional can answer any additional questions you have about recoverable damages after an Erie car accident during a confidential consultation. Schedule yours by calling today.
