After an accident, many victims find themselves suffering physically, emotionally, and financially. After all, accidents often lead to unexpected expenses that victims are forced to pay. Thankfully, the law in Virginia allows accident victims to recover damages from the at-fault party to make the victim whole again.
There are two main types of damages available in most personal injury cases. Economic damages are used to compensate victims for their financial losses. Non-economic damages compensate victims for their intangible losses, like pain and suffering. Keep reading below to learn more about the types of economic damages that may be available to you after an accident.
Your Expenses Must Be “Reasonable and Necessary”
To qualify for reimbursement, any expenses you incur because of your accident or injuries must be reasonable and necessary. The insurance company will try to pay as little as possible on your claim, so they are likely to question many of the expenses submitted with your claim.
For example, the cost of an X-ray to diagnose a broken leg would be hard to deny. That expense would be both reasonable and necessary under the circumstances. However, getting reimbursed for experimental or non-traditional procedures might be difficult, especially if the cost is high.
What Are Common Types of Economic Damages?
Here are some common types of economic damages:
Medical Expenses
Medical expenses often represent the majority of the economic damages present in a personal injury case. Medical bills can quickly rise into the tens of thousands of dollars, especially if you sustain severe injuries. You can recover compensation for the cost of medical treatments that have already been performed and recoup money for your anticipated future medical needs.
Immediately following an accident, you may need emergency care. Some common examples of economic damages resulting from that care include:
- Ambulance transport
- Emergency room treatment
- Diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays or CT scans
- Surgery
- Follow-up doctor visits
- Cost of medications
- Medical devices, such as crutches or a wheelchair
Many victims also require ongoing physical therapy or rehabilitation for their injuries. The costs associated with these sessions would also qualify as economic damages. Finally, it is worth noting that you can also recover expenses associated with treatment for your mental health.
Some accidents leave victims struggling with PTSD, anxiety, or depression. Counseling or other mental health services might be required in those situations. As long as the expenses are reasonable and necessary, you will likely be able to recover those costs once you have established liability against the at-fault party.
Lost Wages
If you missed time from work because of your injuries, you may be entitled to recover money for your lost wages. Even using vacation time or sick time for medical treatments could qualify. This is because you no longer have this time available to use for other situations.
Documentation will be required to prove the value of your lost wages. You can typically obtain documentation from your employer or present pay stubs and other evidence showing these losses. If you regularly work overtime, you might even be able to get compensation for missed overtime as long as you have the documentation to back it up.
Diminished Earning Capacity
Some accident victims can no longer work in the same capacity as they did before their accident. Imagine that you are forced into a part-time role or are unable to work at all because of your injuries. Or perhaps you are forced to take a less physically or mentally demanding job that pays significantly less.
In cases like these, you may be entitled to recover the compensation you would have received had it not been for your injury. Proving the exact value of these losses can be difficult, and you will likely need the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer who knows how to properly value your claim.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Many unexpected expenses come up after an accident, and these may range from a few dollars to a few thousand dollars. However, it is crucial that you keep detailed records of all the expenses associated with your accident so that you can get the proper reimbursement. Some examples of out-of-pocket expenses that could qualify are:
- Child care expenses if your injuries prevent you from taking care of your children
- Home cleaning expenses if you are unable to perform basic chores at home
- Lawn care services if you are prevented from doing lawn care because of your injuries
Having detailed records of these expenses is crucial to proving them to the insurance company and getting reimbursement.
Property Damage
In addition to injury-related expenses, you are also entitled to recover compensation for your property damage. For example, suppose your vehicle is totaled in a car accident with a negligent driver. The cost to replace your vehicle could be included as part of the economic damages in your case.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Manassas Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you have been hurt in an accident, contact The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm, today for help. We can help you identify all the economic damages present in your case and demand full compensation for your claim. We have recovered over $60 million for injury victims, so let us fight for the money you deserve.
Call us today at (571) 229-1800 to schedule your free consultation with a Manassas personal injury lawyer.
