St. Pete Don’t Miss Out On These Damages In You Car Accident Settlement
Michael Babboni
Car Accidents
When you’ve been injured in a St. Pete’s car accident, you have a right to a full and fair settlement for your damages. Under Florida state law, the negligent party is liable to pay for the damages. Meaning, when the other driver causes the accident, they and their insurance company must pay for things like the damage to your vehicle, the cost of your medical bills, and the value of your lost wages. Working with an auto accident attorney is crucial to ensure that you get the full amount of your damages.What Are Damages?
Damages are all the costs that are incurred as a result of an accident. There are three types of damages:
- Economic: These are tangible financial losses like the direct costs of vehicle repair and your medical bills.
- Non-Economic: Non-economic are intangible damages that don’t have a financial value like pain and suffering and loss of companionship.
- Punitive: Punitive damages are a financial punishment for malicious or intentional harm like in the case of a road rage or drunk driving accident.
Insurance companies will never offer you the full value of your damages. They are businesses looking to protect their financial bottom lines. So it is important that before taking a settlement with the insurance company, you understand your full rights to compensation. That includes what types of damages you qualify to receive following your accident.
Five Common Damages Missed By Florida Auto Accident Victims
After an accident, insurance companies will rush auto accident victims to settle quickly. This is intentional to help them save money on claims. They know that accident victims are getting buried in things like medical debt and want to find relief. However, if you settle too quickly, you may miss out on damages that you are legally owed. Here are just some of the types of damages commonly missed when victims accept a settlement too early:
Future Medical Expenses
If you sustained a significant injury during a car accident, you may need care down the line. Oftentimes, auto accident victims settle only for the existing medical bills. Then in a few years, they still have significant debt. An attorney will work with medical professionals to determine how much long-term care you will need, as well as the cost of that care to come.
Lost Benefits
When you have to miss work from an accident, you can claim lost wages. However, many accident victims don’t know that lost wages also include lost benefits. The value of your PTO, retirement contributions, and other benefits can also be awarded as part of the settlement.
Loss Of Earning Potential
If your injury is so severe you are unable to do your work, you may be able to claim for lost wages. However, if your injury is so severe it makes it hard to continue your career, you may be able to claim a loss of earning potential. If you have to switch careers because of your injury, you may even qualify for damages for job retraining and education.
Transportation
Transportation to and from your medical appointments is considered damage. You would not have incurred these expenses had it not been for the accident. This damage can cover everything from rental cars to gas to the cost of taxis or public transportation.
Home Modifications
If your accident left you injured or disabled, you need to modify your home with assistance features. These can include things like wheelchair ramps, shower bars, and stair lifts. The cost of these assistance features can be included in your claim.
To ensure that you are receiving all the damages you qualify for, work with St. Pete’s Lawyer Michael Babboni. With over 30 years fighting for St. Petersburg auto accident victims, Michael knows exactly what damages you are owed. Contact him now to learn how he can help you get the full value of your rightful settlement.