Posted on Thursday, October 13th, 2016 at 3:09 am
Being injured in a traffic-related accident can be physically, emotionally, and financially devastating. The financial aspect of a motor vehicle accident can be devastating for you and for your family. Before you take any steps to settle your car accident claim, you should understand the two different parts of a Sacramento car accident claim.
Property Damage Claim
The property damage claim covers the damage to your vehicle and any other personal property on your body or in your vehicle at the time of the traffic accident. Most people only think about their vehicle when they consider a property damage claim. An insurance adjuster may not explain your rights fully. You are entitled to receive compensation for any property damaged or lost in the collision.
For example, if you just purchased a new flat screen television with a surround sound system, you would be entitled to receive compensation if that property was damaged in the collision. Therefore, it is very important that you consult with a Sacramento accident attorney prior to settling your property damage claim to ensure you are receiving all of the compensation you are entitled to receive by law.
Furthermore, to receive compensation for your vehicle or to have the insurance company pay for repairs to your vehicle, the insurance company will require you to sign a release. The release should ONLY cover your property damage claim. It is always in your best interest to have an attorney review the release before you sign it to ensure you are not releasing any of your rights to recover full compensation for your bodily injury claim.
Bodily Injury Claim
The second part of a Sacramento car accident claim is the bodily injury claim. This part of your car accident claim is intended to compensate you for your actual physical injuries, emotional suffering, and financial damages caused by the accident. A bodily injury claim is broken into two sections — economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are your actual out-of-pocket losses due to the accident. Typically, this includes:
- Medical expenses, both past, and future
- Loss of income, both past, and future
- Loss of earning capacity
- Travel expenses
- Physical therapy
- Medical equipment
- Over-the-counter medications and medical supplies
- Personal care and/or medical care, both present and future
- Other out-of-pocket expenses related to your injuries and your recovery
The second part of a bodily injury claim includes non-economic losses, also referred to as “pain and suffering.” Non-economic damages are designed to compensate you for your physical pain, emotional suffering, and mental anguish. You may also be entitled to receive compensation for permanent disabilities, scarring, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Non-economic damages are difficult to calculate because each accident is different and each person is different. There are no bills or invoices you can use to prove non-economic damages, nor is there a legal formula for calculating these damages. An experienced Sacramento car accident attorney understands how to use the physical evidence and the facts of the case to maximize the amount of pain and suffering damages a victim can receive in a car accident claim.
Call A Sacramento Car Accident Attorney
If you have been injured in a vehicle accident, it is important that you have experienced, competent legal counsel as soon as possible. Our attorneys offer free legal consultations so you can get the information you need to protect your legal rights.
Call the Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 or chat with a representative on our website for more information and to schedule your free appointment.
