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Potential Damages In Virginia Car Accident Cases

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Virginia, you may be wondering whether you are eligible to receive compensation for your physical and financial injuries. In Virginia car accident cases, the losses that a person sustains are called “damages”. There are numerous categories of damages that a Virginia car accident victim may be able to claim in a lawsuit against another driver or their insurance company.

All car insurance companies are aware of the potential damages that car accident victims in Virginia may be entitled to. Often, the at-fault driver or his insurance company will attempt to settle your claim as soon as possible following the accident. This may seem like a good idea at first, however, most insurance companies know that they may end up paying substantially more if the injured person contacts an experienced Virginia personal injury attorney who has an intimate understanding of the applicable laws in this area. Below is a listing of many of the categories of damages that an injured car accident victim may be compensated for.

Medical Expenses

Most car accident victims in Virginia are entitled to receive compensation for any out-of-pocket expenses that they incur in relation to any necessary medical treatment that is associated with their injury. Virginia car accident victims are not only entitled to compensation for medical bills that were incurred prior to the disposition of their case, but they may also be able to receive compensation for future medical bills if ongoing treatment is necessary.

Property Damage

In most car accidents that occur in Virginia, the victim of the accident will suffer property damage to his or her vehicle and other personal property in addition to any physical injuries that may have occurred. Car accident victims are entitled to be made financially whole by the person who is responsible for causing the damage. The offending party will need to pay to have your vehicle repaired to the condition that it was in prior to the accident. If your vehicle is damaged beyond repair, you may be entitled to the fair market value of the vehicle at the time of the accident.

Lost Wages

You may be able to receive compensation for work-related pay that you were required to forego in order to attend doctor appointments, therapy sessions or other events associated with the accident. You may also receive lost wages if your injury prevents you from going to work or being to be able to perform you current job.

Hired Help

If your injuries prevent you from being able to perform certain tasks, you may be able to receive compensation for any amounts that you had to pay to hire additional help. Examples of compensable hired help may be a house cleaning service, childcare or in-home nursing services. The important thing to remember here is that generally, only services that you pay for may be compensated. Services that are provided for free or through a charitable organization such as a church or community civic center may not be repaid since the cost of the service was not paid for by the injured party.

Permanent Disability

Virginia car accident victims who have suffered a permanent disability or disfigurement that will have an effect on the individual’s quality of life for an indeterminate amount of time may be entitled to additional compensation. Person’s suffering from a permanent disability may require ongoing medical attention, in-home care, and specialized medical equipment or mobility devices. The car accident victim is entitled to be compensated for the costs associated with any disability that is caused by the accident.

Emotional Damages

In some cases, car accident victims may be able to receive compensation for emotional distress. However, since emotional distress damages are not tangible or obvious to an ordinary person, the plaintiff may need to undergo a psychiatric evaluation to prove that the accident has had a substantial impact on the car accident victim’s mental and emotional health.

If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident in Virginia, contact an experienced Virginia personal injury lawyer who can assess the potential damages that you may be entitled to, deal with the insurance companies on your behalf and provide you with peace of mind while you recover from your injuries.

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