Car accidents can impact a victim’s life in countless ways, but when you file an insurance claim and possibly bring your case to court, you need to be sure to include every single loss to maximize the amount of your injury settlement.
Below, we go into further detail about some of the various economic losses you shouldn’t forget to include in your claim, and the non-economic damages that can be sought after under California law.
Financial Losses You Can Recover in Your Orange County Car Accident Claim
Economic damages, also known as financially based losses, are the most commonly thought of type of loss a person experiences after being involved in a car accident in Orange County. The first thing that probably comes to your mind is:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
The good news is that both of these economic damages are recoverable. But they may be worth more than you might think. When we take a closer look at medical expenses, this should encompass every single healthcare cost related to your injuries. This might include:
- Medical equipment, such as hospital beds or prosthetic limbs
- Costs of physical or occupational therapy
- Copays
- Costs of diagnostic imaging
- Fees associated with mental health counseling
- Costs of prescription medications
These are just a few of the different types of medical expenses you may be able to recover in your car accident claim.
Then, when we look more closely at your lost wages, we may also find that you are entitled to far more than the income you lost while out of work. Perhaps you are unable to continue working due to your injuries, which means you’re out of a job entirely. Such lost earning capacity could include compensation for:
- Lost contributions to your retirement savings plan
- Loss of salary increases and bonuses you may have earned
- Reasonable lost future earnings
In addition to your lost wages and medical expenses, you will also want to be sure that you don’t forget to seek restitution for other economic damages such as:
- Housekeeping expenses
- Property damage
- Unexpected childcare costs
What Are Non-Economic Damages in California?
Non-economic damages refer to the losses you have suffered that do not pertain to money. This might include your pain and suffering and emotional distress, for example.
These items do not have a set monetary value, but they are often equally, if not more, impactful. Some of the lesser known non-economic damages you may be able to include your Orange County car accident settlement include:
- Reputational damage
- Inconvenience
- Scarring
- Loss of companionship and love
- Disfigurement
- Diminished quality of life
Get Help from an Orange County Car Accident Lawyer
If you would like to get a better idea of what your car accident claim could be worth, schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a respected Orange County car accident lawyer at Kohan & Bablove, LLP. We can be reached through the quick contact form below or by phone at 1-844-404-2400.
