If you were injured in a car accident today, how would you move on? Do you have enough money in the bank to cover what insurance does not, such as lost wages? If you don’t, you’re not alone. That’s why car accident victims seek compensation with the help of an attorney.
Under Florida law, if you are involved in a car accident and sustain injury and/or property damage, you have the right to seek compensation from the at-fault, or negligent, party. A party is deemed negligent in the eyes of the law when they behave in such a way that others are put at risk.
Florida Car Accident Losses
While some states place a limit on what can be collected in a personal injury settlement, Florida does not. That means that your economic and noneconomic losses could be completely covered.
Economic damages compensate you for real monetary losses like medical bills and lost wages. Noneconomic damages compensate you for more ambiguous losses like pain and suffering.
A federal study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration determined that car accidents in the United States cost more than $850 billion each year. These costs include medical bills, property damage, and lost wages. Lingering costs, or those that encompass loss of life, continued pain, or a decrease in the quality of life, come to nearly $600 billion annually.
At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, our attorneys can assist you in getting the compensation you deserve after a car accident in South Florida. Give us a call at (800) 316-8514 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Tampa car accident lawyer today.
Mounting Medical Bills and Related Expenses
If you’re like other accident victims, medical bills will likely be your biggest expense. This applies to both immediate and future care. Your injuries may require that you undergo different types of therapy or require assistive devices while you’re healing. You may also find that you are left with some type of permanent disability.
When your Tampa car accident attorney seeks to recover your economic losses, your medical bills will be included – past, present, and future. If your medical bills are a direct result of injuries related to your accident, the at-fault party may be forced to pay them.
You should save all of your medical bills and receipts for expenses related to the accident. If you pay your bills out of pocket or through your own insurance, save the receipts. Be sure to save smaller expenses too, such as any parking receipts at the hospital, clinic, or office.
Property Damage
The person found responsible for causing your accident may also be held responsible for the costs associated with the repair or replacement of your property. If your car is totaled, you could be awarded the actual cash value of the car at the time of the accident.
Aside from claiming the value of your car, you may also choose to claim the value of any property damaged inside the vehicle. For example, your phone may have been shattered, your glasses could have broken, or your child’s car seat may need to be replaced. Don’t assume that the only money you can recover is what you spend directly on vehicle damage.
Lost Income
If you miss work due to your injuries, you’ll lose wages. The at-fault party may be responsible for those missing paychecks. Not only can you recover lost wages, but if you work on commission, your attorney may be able to calculate the amount you missed out on due to being unable to work.
If you are unable to return to work permanently, you may be able to claim future earnings. Speak with your Tampa car accident attorney about what you may be able to recover.
Pain and Suffering
Many people have heard of pain and suffering, but you may not know exactly what it means. In general, the at-fault party may compensate you for mental anguish and suffering. This could include damages for a reduced quality of life due to scarring or disfigurement.
Wrongful Death
A wrongful death claim is brought when a loved one or family member is killed due to injuries sustained in a car accident. The family may be able to recover the costs associated with medical and funerary expenses. Family members may also be able to recover the cost of lost income the decedent would have earned had they survived.
A Tampa Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You
The Tampa car accident attorneys at Steinger, Greene & Feiner understand that the time after a wreck is stressful for you. We know that you’re wondering what will happen next and how you can climb your way out of the financial overwhelm you are experiencing.
Contact us online or call us today at (800) 916-8108 to schedule your free, no-obligation case evaluation with a Tampa car accident lawyer. We will review the details of your wreck and determine if you have a case. If so, we will move forward in helping you secure the compensation you are entitled to under Florida law.