If you were involved in a car accident here in Washington State, you may be suffering from serious injuries ranging from traumatic brain injury to fractures. As a car accident victim, you may be entitled to compensation from the negligent parties that caused the accident.
Car accident victims in Washington can recover both economic and non-economic damages after a car accident by filing a personal injury suit against the negligent parties that caused the accident.
Economic damages
Economic damages are quantifiable damages that are usually verifiable through invoices and bills. These damages may include:
- Medical expenses (hospital costs, ambulance fees, etc.)
- Lost wages (income victim would have earned at work had they not been in an accident)
- Loss of earning capacity (victim’s ability to work is somehow limited because of their accident-related injuries)
- Property damage (repair costs, loss of use, etc.)
Non-economic damages
Non-economic damages tend to be more subjective, in that including:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Disfigurement or impairment
- Inconvenience
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Both economic and non-economic damages can play an essential role in the recovery process following a crash. Even Washington car accident victims who were partially at-fault for their own accident and injuries may be able to recover damages.
Under Washington’s comparative negligence laws, the damages awarded to an accident victim will be reduced based on the percentage of fault attributed to them. A personal injury attorney in your area can help determine how much compensation you are entitled to after a motor vehicle collision.