You may feel overwhelmed and frustrated after a car wreck. In addition to receiving medical treatment and trying to recover from your injuries, you may also need to repair or replace your car and take time off work. Many of these worries come with their own financial challenges. For example, being unable to work can affect a family’s financial stability due to lost wages.
Fortunately, injured individuals can seek compensation for various types of damages after a wreck, including general, special, and punitive damages. Recoverable damages after an Oakwood car accident aim to relieve injured individuals of the financial stress caused by another person’s negligence. A seasoned auto accident attorney at Smith Hulsey Law could help you understand the different types of recoverable damages and pursue maximum compensation.
In Georgia, economic damages are often referred to as special damages. These damages refer to any direct or indirect economic loss related to a car accident. Some examples of recoverable economic damages after an Oakwood car wreck include:
Indirect economic losses differ from intangible losses. These losses have a measurable monetary value, even if assigning a specific amount is more challenging. Accidents resulting in significant injuries can affect a person’s ability to perform daily activities. To maintain their previous standard of living, they may need to hire assistance for tasks, such as driving, cooking, childcare, or housekeeping.
Each of these activities has a quantifiable cost, and paying for this replacement labor may require economic—or special—damages. There is no maximum limit on special damages in the state. As long as an injured individual can demonstrate that the expense is related to the accident and the amount is reasonable, they may recover these costs from the at-fault person.
The final type of recoverable compensation after an Oakwood car accident is punitive damages. However, the state only permits the court to award punitive damages in certain cases. The deciding factor is whether the at-fault individual acted maliciously or engaged in intentional misconduct.
Punitive damages may be recoverable if the at-fault driver was:
To determine if punitive damages apply, a lawyer could investigate the circumstances of the accident and examine the at-fault driver’s driving record.
It can be difficult to determine what types of damages you may be entitled to after a car wreck without the assistance of a diligent attorney. Insurance companies often offer insufficient settlement offers to meet a person’s needs. A lawyer could help you negotiate a fair offer.
Additionally, they could assess the full extent of your injuries and potential financial consequences and determine a reasonable value for your intangible losses. In cases where the driver was particularly negligent, tenacious legal counsel could help individuals seek punitive damages to hold them financially accountable for their actions.
For more information on recoverable damages after an Oakwood car accident, schedule a consultation with the legal team at Smith Hulsey Law. We are here to guide you through every step of the claims process and pursue the compensation you deserve.
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