The thought of taking legal action after suffering a serious injury can be an unwanted aspect for many victims of negligence. However, there are many situations in which the injury can lead to extensive medical bills and lost income from being unable to work, creating significant financial hardships.
In personal injury matters following a car accident, there are various types of compensation you may be entitled to depending on the circumstances of your case. The two main types of damages are economic and non-economic, but some very specific cases may allow for punitive damages.
Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages
Economic damages are classified as though in which the total value can be shown. For instance, medical bills. There’s a direct value associated with the amount you pay and can be compensated as such. Similarly, property damage and lost income fall under economic damages.
Non-economic damages are imperative to a car accident case, but they’re more difficult to determine the overall value. There’s no proof of how much these damages are worth as they compensate for pain and suffering, mental anguish, and other non-quantifiable losses you experienced as a result of the injury. However, they often make up a majority of the awards in car accident cases.
What are Punitive Damages and How Do They Work?
The third type of damage that may be available is designed to serve as a punishment to the defendant and as a deterrent, preventing others from acting in a similar manner. Punitive damages are available in cases where the damages sustained are the result of intentional or malicious actions.
For instance, when someone maliciously crashes their vehicle into another driver, bicyclist, pedestrian, or other party, the act may be considered intentional and the court may order the defendant to pay the plaintiff an additional amount as a way to punish the defendant.
At Gaddis, Herd, Craw & Adams, P.C., we understand how difficult it may be to go through this time without the compensation you need to cover the expenses associated with your losses. As such, we aim to seek the maximum compensation available to you.
You can speak with our Colorado Springs car accident attorneys in a free consultation. There, you can better understand what rights you may have and discuss your options moving forward. Trust that we have your best interests in mind from start to finish.
Need to speak with a lawyer? Call us today: (719) 249-6240.