Recoverable damages after a Westlake Village car accident include your medical bills, lost earnings from missing work, property damage, and compensation for pain and suffering.
At Block LLP, our experienced car accident attorneys have helped many injured clients understand what damages they can recover and pursue the full compensation they deserve.
What Types of Damages May Be Available?
Understanding the difference between types of damages is critical. For example, a victim of a failing-to-yield car collision in Westlake Village may recover both the cost of medical treatment and compensation for the emotional distress caused by the accident. You want an injury attorney fighting for full compensation.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are quantifiable monetary losses directly caused by the accident. These are relatively straightforward to calculate, as they are proven with bills, receipts, and earnings statements. They include, but are not limited to:
- Medical expenses: Past and future costs for all necessary treatment, including emergency room visits, surgeries, hospitalization, physical therapy, prescription medications, and durable medical equipment
- Lost income: Income lost due to taking time away from work during recovery—you can visit the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor to get an idea of what you are owed
- Decreased earning capacity: Compensation for a permanent reduction in the ability to earn money in the future, often resulting from long-term disability or impairment
- Property damage: The cost to repair or replace the damaged vehicle or other personal property
- Out-of-pocket expenses: Costs incurred as a direct result of the injury, such as travel to medical appointments or necessary home modifications
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages cover intangible losses that demonstrate how the accident has affected the claimant’s overall quality of life. You can ask for compensation for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, or emotional distress. Disfigurement or physical impairment also falls under this category.
However, non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life do not come with bills or receipts, making them challenging to quantify. An experienced injury lawyer employs proven methods to calculate these losses accurately and persuasively.
Our attorneys use established formulas such as the multiplier method, which multiplies your economic damages by a factor reflecting your injury’s severity. We might also apply per diem calculations that assign a daily value to your suffering from the accident until maximum recovery.
Our lawyers examine medical records documenting pain levels, treatment duration, and prognosis to demonstrate ongoing suffering. We gather testimony from mental health professionals about emotional trauma, anxiety, or depression resulting from your injuries. Documentation of lost hobbies, social activities, and relationship impacts helps establish diminished quality of life.
This combination of quantitative methods and evidence enables your lawyer to present compelling arguments for fair non-economic damage awards.
A Car Accident Attorney Negotiates With Insurers
Insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts, leaving victims without the necessary resources to recover. A skilled lawyer could gather evidence, interview witnesses, and negotiate aggressively with insurers. Our car accident attorneys at Block LLP understand the tactics insurance companies use and are prepared to fight for fair compensation.
Legal representation is critical when recovering damages for injuries after a Westlake Village car accident. Our attorneys could guide clients through these complicated processes and ensure their rights are protected.
Contact a Lawyer About Recoverable Damages Available After a Car Crash in Westlake Village
If you suffered an injury and need to understand the recoverable damages after a Westlake Village car accident, Block LLP is here to help. Our auto accident attorneys are ready to review your case, explain the compensation available, and fight for the recovery you deserve.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation with a dedicated lawyer who could protect your rights and pursue justice on your behalf.