Recoverable Damages After an Auto Collision: What You Need to Know
by Jeffrey J. Kroll
Economic damages are often straightforward to assess. You’ll typically have copies of your medical bills and any information about lost income or wages from the collision. However, many people ask, “What other recoverable damages after an auto collision can I claim?” The answer depends on your specific situation. Beyond economic damages, several types of non-economic damages address the broader impact of an injury. While these damages might not be easily measurable, they can significantly affect your quality of life. Here are some examples of recoverable damages after an auto collision:
Recoverable Damages for Disfigurement After an Auto Collision
Disfigurement stands as a separate element of recoverable damages after an auto collision. Scars from surgery, permanent indentations, or stitches resulting from the collision or its treatment all fall under this category.
Compensation for Physical Pain and Mental Suffering in Auto Collision
You can claim both physical pain and mental suffering caused by the auto collision. Additionally, you can seek compensation for pain or suffering you might reasonably expect in the future. Testimony from spouses, family members, coworkers, or healthcare providers often helps illustrate these damages. These differ from “disability” damages.
Understanding Disability Claims After an Auto Collision
If the injury from the auto collision affects your daily life, you can claim damages for disability or the loss of a normal life. In Illinois, you must choose one of these options, as you cannot claim both. This element refers to a diminished ability to enjoy life, whether temporarily or permanently, compared to your activities before the collision.
Increased Risk of Harm and Recoverable Damages Post-Collision
You can also claim damages for emotional distress, which is distinct from mental suffering. This includes the emotional toll of the injury, both now and in the future.
Emotional Distress and Non-Economic Damages After a Car Accident
For severely injured individuals, the impact can extend to personal relationships, especially with a spouse. In Illinois, you can claim damages for the loss of society, which encompasses the loss of love, affection, companionship, comfort, guidance, and protection in a marriage or family relationship.
At Kaveny + Kroll, our attorneys bring nearly 80 years of combined trial experience to help clients recover damages for non-economic injuries. Elizabeth Kaveny and Jeffrey Kroll frequently speak nationwide about maximizing recoverable damages after an auto collision. If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, contact the injury lawyers at Kaveny + Kroll for a consultation at 1.312.761.KKTL.