When you’re in a car accident, it impacts more than just your vehicle. You may have to recover from personal injuries, replace damaged property and treat mental health issues. These consequences can go on for years and be extremely costly.
Fortunately, Texas law may allow you to sue for damages and receive compensation for your suffering. The type of damages you can claim will depend on your unique situation.
Compensatory Damages
According to Chapter 41 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, “compensatory damages” include economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages compensate the car accident victim for direct monetary losses, such as those associated with:
- Property damage: Getting your vehicle repaired is costly. In some cases, you may have to replace it. These expenses may be claimed if the other driver is at fault for the accident. You can also demand payment for damages to property inside your vehicle, such as your cell phone, as well as towing and vehicle rental costs.
- Medical bills: You’ll need medical care when you sustain injuries from a car accident. You can seek reimbursement for these medical -related bills, including ambulance services, emergency room services, doctor’s examinations, treatment costs, surgery, physical therapy, hospital stays and medications.
- Lost wages: Whether you’re waiting for your car to be repaired or need time to recover from a physical injury, car accidents can force you to miss work and lose out on pay. You can claim these lost wages, including any paid time off you used to receive treatment or to fix your vehicle.
Noneconomic damages aren’t direct costs but can still be associated with monetary value. They allow victims to be compensated for:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental or emotional pain or anguish, including psychological conditions such as PTSD
- Loss of a consortium
- Disfigurement and/or physical impairment
- Loss of companionship
- Inconvenience and/or loss of enjoyment of life
- Injury to one’s reputation
Punitive Damages
Also called exemplary damages, punitive damages punish at-fault drivers for negligent, reckless and/or dangerous driving behavior that puts other’s safety and health at risk. These behaviors can include:
- Driving while distracted
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Speeding
- Running through stop signs, red lights or failing to follow other road rules
- Aggressive driving behaviors, such as tailgating
Being awarded compensation for punitive damages is rarer than receiving compensation for compensatory damages. You must have suffered actual, compensatory damages to sue for punitive damages. You’ll also need a skilled car accident lawyer to prove that the at-fault driver’s actions were negligent.
Our Dallas Attorneys Can Help You Seek Compensation for Your Car Accident
If you or a loved one have been in a car accident, it’s critical to seek out experienced legal counsel. A car accident attorney can improve your odds of getting the compensation you deserve for the damages you’ve experienced.
At Ted B. Lyon & Associates, our knowledgeable Dallas attorneys will help you navigate your case and provide you with thorough, personalized legal services. Speak with our car accident lawyers today by calling us at 877-Ted-Lyon / 877-833-5966
or send us a message.
