Even the safest of drivers can have their life upended in an instant because of another person’s carelessness. If you have been involved in a car accident due to the negligence of someone else, civil law grants you the right to pursue compensation for any losses that you have experienced. An expert car accident attorney in Houston, TX can work with you to determine which of the common claims listed in this article you can pursue.
7 Common Types of Claims You Can Make After a Car Accident
1. Personal Injury Claims
Personal injury claims allow you to seek compensation for any bodily harm that you experienced as a result of your car accident. This includes any immediate medical expenses after the event, as well as anticipated future costs that may arise from a significant injury. These types of claims can ensure that you will have the funds you need to treat related injuries as they evolve throughout your lifetime.
Claims for personal injury can include a wide variety of expenses, beginning with any ambulance costs or initial hospital visits you require. These types of claims can also be extended to cover any rehabilitation costs, in-home care, follow-up appointments, or medications you may take after the fact. They can even be used to cover any immediate or future surgeries, as well as prosthetic or mobility aids you may require.
2. Property Damage Claims
Another common claim you can make after a car accident connects to any damages that happen to your personal property. Property damage claims can cover the necessary repair or replacement costs for any personal belongings that were affected. These types of claims cover damages to the car itself but aren’t necessarily limited to just that.
Property damage claims can also cover any physical items in your car that were damaged by the accident. This can include clothing, jewelry, or any other items you were personally wearing during the crash. It can also include belongings like your cell phone, laptop, or even children’s car seats. For this reason, it’s a good idea to keep track of what belongings you keep in your vehicle so that you have an accurate list should an accident occur.
3. Claims for Lost Wages
Claims for lost wages can cover many different forms of income, ranging from your regular hourly pay to potentially any overtime or bonuses you would have received. Your claim may also be extended to include any vacation or sick days you would have earned, as well as any retirement contributions your employer would have made. This may even be the case if you are injured significantly enough that you are never able to return to the workforce.
4. Wrongful Death Claims in Houston, TX
Wrongful death claims consider many factors when determining the compensation you receive after a loss. These claims can cover your relative’s medical expenses from the accident, as well as any funeral or burial costs you and your family experience after the fact. Wrongful death claims can also potentially include your loved one’s lost income and your expected inheritance and can compensate you for the emotional damage you have received due to your loss.
5. Pain and Suffering Claims
Civil law recognizes that traumatic events like a car accident can cause damages that aren’t always obvious at a glance. Specifically, the law allows you to file a claim for pain and suffering you’ve experienced, whether it be physical or emotional in nature. However, these types of claims can be challenging for courts to decide, which is why you will want to consult a reliable car accident attorney to ensure you have all of the evidence you need.
Pain and suffering claims can be used to cover a wide array of intangible effects the accident may have on your daily life. This can include any physical aches and pains, emotional stress or grief, as well as any anxiety, depression, or even PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) you develop. Pain and suffering can also compensate for the toll that comes from any permanent losses to your bodily functions or ability to navigate your daily life.
6. Claiming Loss of Consortium
Loss of consortium claims are another way to compensate you for the less tangible losses you’ve experienced due to an accident. These claims specifically cover the relationships you have lost, either due to personal injury or the death of a loved one. In short, a loss of consortium claim compensates you for any of the benefits you have lost that once came from that relationship.
This claim is often used when an accident has greatly impacted a marriage, especially if an injury or death has led to a loss of a physical relationship, affection, or companionship. It can also be used to compensate for the loss of a parent-child relationship and all of the love, support, and care that once came from it. These claims can further cover the loss of any day-to-day support you once received from a loved one, ranging from child care to home repairs.
7. Claims Recommended by Your Car Accident Attorney
If your accident was caused intentionally or was the result of gross negligence on the part of the other driver, you may be eligible to file for punitive damages. Additionally, if your minor children were injured physically or emotionally by the accident, you may be able to file claims on their behalf in addition to your own. Be sure to discuss these options and more with your attorney.
Getting into a car accident can be a scary experience, one that can cause untold damage to yourself, your loved ones, and your personal property. You need someone you can trust to help guide you through this process to ensure that you receive the full compensation you are due. For expert advice and guidance on your legal options, schedule a free case review with the attorneys at Houston Injury Lawyers, PLLC today.
