How are Damages Determined in a Car Accident Case?

After a car accident in Dallas, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your injuries and/or property damage through an insurance claim. There are three main categories of damages that are evaluated after an automobile accident. These are property damages (usually to the automobile), economic compensatory damages (medical bills, lost wages, etc.), and general compensatory damages (which may include the long term impact the accident could have on the victim).

If possible, take pictures of the accident as soon as you can before anything at the scene is altered. You must be sure to obtain a copy of the police report documenting the accident as well.  When filing a claim, submit the copy of the police report, along with pictures, and any other written documentation you can collect.  Each of these items will be extremely important when determining damages on a car accident case.

• Property Damages - When considering the physical damages to the vehicle, you must realize that your car's value will be determined by the condition it is in at the time of the accident. An insurance company will usually first consider how much money has to be spent by the victim to return the car to its previous state before the accident.

• Economic (special) Damages - Economic damages cover quantifiable damages such as medical bills, lost wages, and funeral expenses.

• General Damages - Pain and suffering, mental anguish, and disfigurement would be considered general (non-economic) damages. In the tragic case that a car wreck is fatal, certain additional damages (such as loss of consortium) can also be awarded.

If you choose to hire an accident attorney, the insurance company will deal solely with them, taking the burden off of you. If you have a Dallas car accident case that you would like to have handled, Rasansky Law Firm is here to help. Call us at (214) 651-6100 today.