California Car Accidents: What Kind of Compensation Can You Receive?
Car accidents are scary. Even if you’re not hurt, if your vehicle is damaged, you have to figure out how to get your car fixed. If you were injured, you’re faced with mounting medical bills, continuing treatment, getting your car fixed, lost wages, and maybe even permanent disability. And what if the other driver didn’t have insurance? Ahhh! Car accidents can change your life forever.
If you’re involved in a car accident in East Los Angeles, you may be eligible to receive compensation. To know what type of compensation you may be eligible to receive, take two steps.
- Don’t sign anything that the insurance company sends to you. You could lose your legal rights and you may not get everything that’s rightfully owed to you.
- Contact an experienced car accident attorney to discuss your case. There are several types of compensation, but not every car accident claim will be eligible for every type of compensation. The right lawyer can also help you by negotiating with the other party and the insurance company on your behalf.
Compensatory Damages
In legal terms, the word “damages” essentially means the monetary equivalent of what you suffered as a car accident victim. This may include your lost wages, lost earning ability if you’re disabled from the accident, property damage (such as your car or even a car seat for a child), and medical expenses (including surgeries, hospital stays, medical equipment, prescriptions, and continuing medical care). The goal is to compensate you for the actual losses you experienced as a result of the car accident.
Punitive or Exemplary Damages
Sometimes, the court chooses to make an example of the other party (this may also include their insurance company) because of their extreme negligence or because of what you’ve gone through. This is compensation that is additional to the actual damages you incurred. Again, the court is looking to use the defendant as an example and punishes them by awarding these damages to you.
Hurt in a Car Accident? Contact a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer Immediately
If you were hurt in a car accident, don’t wait to contact a Los Angeles car accident lawyer. Car accident claims must be filed within a certain amount of time after the accident. If you wait, you could lose your ability to bring your claim and recover financial compensation.
For more information on what to do after you or a loved one has been injured in a Los Angeles car accident, contact the skilled accident attorneys at Ghozland Law Firm today for a free, no obligation consultation.
