Compensation Available After a Car Accident
Posted in Firm News, Injuries on April 19, 2019
Accidents happen so fast that there is barely time to react. In seconds, a reckless driver can leave someone severely injured. If you have been injured, contact our Seattle car accident lawyers today for a free case evaluation.
There is no doubt that an injury can throw life out of balance. That is why there are forms of compensation available. The purpose of compensation is to make things easier for people injured in accidents that never should have happened. Here is a review of some of the types of compensation that injured individuals can obtain in Washington.
Damages for pain and suffering
In Washington, people injured in accidents can collect non-economic damages for the pain and distress they suffered because of another’s negligence. This compensation provides financial reimbursement for:
- Physical pain, disability or disfigurement
- Mental trauma, such as anxiety
- Emotional distress from injuries
- Loss of companionship with others
These damages–called compensatory damages–are restitution for suffering that injured individuals should not have endured.
Compensation for property damage
Auto accidents can leave drivers with life-changing injuries. It can also wreck the vehicles that many people depend on for transportation. And repairing vehicles after an auto accident can be expensive. So, it is also possible to obtain compensation that covers the loss or repairs of damaged property.
Restitution for lost wages and medical bills
One of the most common worries after an accident is how one can support their family and pay medical bills if they cannot work. There is compensation available for these losses too.
Technically, compensation for lost wages and medical bills are compensatory damages as well. However, bills and wages are economic damages. So, injured individuals could recover compensation calculated for both past and future medical bills and treatments, as well as lost income.
The combination of all of these forms of compensation is designed to reimburse people for damages they suffered because of no fault of their own. It reduces the pressure on injured individuals and their families so that they can heal, while also holding negligent parties financially responsible for serious accidents.