You are probably already familiar with some of the financial awards you can obtain after a car accident. Economic damages, for example, lie at the core of most California motor vehicle accident claims. These damages cover the financial impact that victims of vehicle collisions experience, including:
- Loss of earnings from missing work
- Medical expenses for crash injuries
- Loss of the use of your property (like your damaged vehicle)
- Costs of repairing or replacing property
Unfortunately, the hardships that typically come with motor vehicle crashes can extend far beyond these economic damages. In California, pain and suffering damages may also be available to those affected by crash injuries.
What qualifies you for pain and suffering damages?
If your motor vehicle crash injuries impact your life substantially, you may qualify for non-economic damages. For example, if the crash results in mental suffering, a court may award you pain and suffering. Other effects of an injury that are often eligible for non-economic damages include:
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of consortium (love, sex, etc.)
- Emotional distress
- Chronic pain (and suffering)
Several issues may bar you from receiving non-economic damages after a Bay Area motor vehicle crash. If a court convicted you for a DUI related to the accident, it takes away your eligibility for pain and suffering damages. You may also be ineligible if your vehicle was uninsured at the time of the crash.
As you prepare to file your insurance claim, it is a good idea to learn more about accident and injury compensation laws in California. What you discover can help you make well-informed decisions that maximize your compensation in the wake of crash injuries.