- November 10, 2021
In a Boise car crash claim filed against another driver, you can recover a wide range of damages. The actual damages available depend on the nature of the accident and resulting injuries. A Boise car crash lawyer can help you understand how the claims process works, and what your claim should include.
In any crash claim, the damages can be broadly categorized as economic or non-economic. It is important to understand what each type denotes. Here is a look at what is meant by economic and non-economic damages within the context of Boise car accidents.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are related to tangible losses involved in any personal injury incident. In other words, if you can put a clear dollar value on a particular type of loss suffered in a crash, it qualifies as economic damage. Examples of economic damages include:
Medical Costs
It is possible to calculate a precise amount for the medical costs associated with crash-related injuries. The overall costs can be calculated by factoring in the doctor’s and hospital’s fees, expenses of travel to and from the hospital, prescription medication costs, the costs of medical tests required for diagnosis, as well as other costs associated with physiotherapy and long-term rehabilitation.
You can claim the full amount of medical costs from your injury all the way until your recovery.
Lost Wages
Another notable type of economic damages is lost wages. This is the income you lose because of your crash-related injuries. A minor injury may cause you to take time away for a few days or weeks. A more serious injury can take months or even years to fully heal.
You are eligible to seek damages covering all the income you lose during this period. Lost wages are calculated by considering your pre-crash average monthly wage. This figure is then multiplied by the time you take away from work to get a dollar amount for lost wages.
Property Damage
A car accident typically results in some sort of damage to a vehicle. Depending on the nature of this damage, you may need to have your vehicle repaired or replaced. Economic damages in a car crash claim include these repair or replacement costs. The cost of repair or replacement may be calculated by an insurance appraiser or by an independent repair shop.
Lost Earning Capacity
In addition to the direct loss of income you suffer after a crash, the accident may also have long-term effects. One of these is the loss of earning capacity. This usually occurs when an injury from the crash leaves a permanent impact on you.
For instance, if you are a surgeon and the crash results in a permanent tremor in your hand, you may be unable to resume your pre-crash career. This qualifies as a loss of earning capacity. In such a case, you are forced to learn a new skill or make a major career change. It is possible to quantify this loss in monetary terms and seek compensatory damages.
Non-Economic Damages
In contrast to economic damages, non-economic damages pertain to intangible losses you suffer in an accident. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
Pain and Suffering
In the case of serious injuries, you may have to deal with a significant amount of pain, anguish, mental suffering, depression, PTSD, anxiety, and other issues. These problems can leave a major and lasting impact on your quality of life. You can seek compensation for such intangible losses in a Boise car crash claim.
Loss of Consortium
Injuries from a crash may leave you unable to continue a physical or emotional relationship with your spouse. This is a notable loss that can drastically impact your life. It is possible to recover damages in lieu of loss of consortium.
Scarring and Disfigurement
Idaho personal injury laws all the recovery of compensatory damages for significant scarring and disfigurement. This is because these losses also adversely impact the victim’s life and can affect their self-esteem and self-confidence.
How Can a Boise Car Accident Lawyer Help?
If you have suffered injuries and other losses in a Boise car crash, it is important to hire a lawyer. Here at Boise Personal Injury Lawyers Group, we help you calculate an estimate of the amount of damages you can recover. We also work with you to determine the types of damages that can be sought in your car crash claim.
Our lawyers have extensive experience of working with insurance companies. This allows us to secure a fair settlement for your claim. Reach out to us now to discuss your Boise car crash claim with our lawyers.
