Types of Damages Available in a Texas Vehicle Accident

Types of Car Accident Damages

Compensatory Damages

Compensatory damages are intended to replace money lost by collision victims due to an accident. There are several common types of compensatory damages, including:

• Medical expenses. If you’ve been injured in a vehicle accident, you’re entitled to compensation for your medical bills. Typical medical expenses resulting from a vehicle collision include doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, medications, and ambulance fees.
• Lost wages. Time spent keeping doctor’s appointments, attending physical therapy sessions, staying in the hospital, and recovering at home can make it impossible to earn a living. If you’re unable to maintain your work schedule due to a vehicle accident, you may receive compensation for your loss of earnings.
• Loss of future income. Vehicle accident injuries may impair or diminish your ability to earn money in the future. If so, you’re entitled to compensation for the loss of earning capacity resulting from your injury. Your occupation, experience, skill level, age, and life expectancy are all factors that will determine the amount of compensation you receive.
• Pain and suffering. You may receive damages for the physical distress you’ve suffered due to a vehicle accident. This amount will be based on the types of injuries, the severity of the pain they have caused, and the expected duration of your suffering. You may also receive compensation for emotional damage or mental anguish, such as anxiety or stress.

Punitive Damages

If the driver who caused your accident is guilty of particularly outrageous conduct, such as road rage, you may be entitled to punitive damages. This is intended to punish the defendant and discourage him from ever behaving in the same manner again. Punitive damages are capped in Texas, and they are generally only awarded when the victim is able to prove gross negligence or malice on the part of the other driver.

Determining a Settlement Amount

Establishing a fair settlement amount can be challenging, and these types of cases frequently require the assistance of an experienced vehicle accident attorney. To learn more, contact the law offices of Steve M. Lee, P.C., by clicking the Live Chat button on this page.