Typically in a car accident case, the negligent party’s insurance company pays the claims for any injuries or damages. In order to evaluate what your car accident claim may be worth, viewing it as an insurance company does can be helpful.
As a general rule, an insurance company considers the types and cost of damages and the percentage of fault among the parties to determine settlement amounts. The types of damages an insurance company pays for include:
Medical expenses/costs. Medical expenses are a large factor in calculating damage awards, and keeping accurate records of these costs is important to your claim. These costs must be directly related to your injury and can include costs for:
- Emergency room visits
- Hospital stays
- Doctor visits
- Physical rehabilitation
- Medication
- Necessary medical devices
Lost wages. If your injuries cause you to lose work, you may be entitled to recover lost wages.
Loss of earning capacity. If your injuries have reduced your ability to earn an income, you may be entitled to further compensation.
Pain and suffering. Depending on the type of injury, its seriousness, and how long your pain is expected to continue, you may receive compensation for pain and suffering.
Mental anguish. You may also be compensated for mental or emotional distress caused by the accident or your injuries.
Property damage. You may be entitled to recover the value of any property damage and/or have your vehicle repaired.
Insurance companies zealously defend their insured against claims and can be stingy when determining awards. However, claimants with injuries are generally compensated for any costs and losses caused by the car accident. Your Maryland car accident attorney can usually give you a general idea of what your case is worth after reviewing its details. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident contact Jonathan Scott Smith online or call (410) 441-5054 to schedule a consultation today.