A car accident can turn your life upside down in an instant. Medical bills pile up, lost wages strain your finances, and the physical and emotional pain can feel overwhelming. If you are facing these challenges, you may be entitled to financial compensation through car accident damages claims. Understanding the types of damages available can help you make informed decisions and recover the compensation you deserve.
At Petro Cohen, our experienced New Jersey car accident lawyers have successfully handled thousands of cases. We are here to guide you through the legal process, offering trusted advice and tireless representation.
Car Accidents Leave Victims Facing Unfair Challenges
Car accidents often create significant hardships for victims. Insurance companies may undervalue claims, or you might not even know the full scope of damages you can recover. These obstacles can leave you feeling frustrated and overwhelmed.
By understanding your rights and working with a trusted legal team, you can take control of the situation and work toward the compensation you deserve.
Pursuing Car Accident Damages Claims
By filing car accident damages claims, you can seek compensation for the financial and emotional losses caused by your accident. With the right legal team, you can ensure your claim fully reflects the impact of the accident on your life.
There are several types of damages available to victims of car accidents. Knowing these can help you navigate the claims process more effectively.
What Car Accident Claim Compensation Is Available?
When pursuing car accident damages claims in New Jersey, you may be eligible for several types of damages.
Economic Damages
These damages reimburse you for tangible financial losses, such as the following:
- Medical expenses. Includes hospital bills, surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment costs. Per N.J.S.A. § 39:6A-4, New Jersey’s no-fault insurance system covers personal injury protection (PIP), but this may not cover all medical expenses.
- Lost wages. Compensation for income lost due to your inability to work during recovery.
- Property damage. It covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and other personal property damaged in the accident.
- Economic damages are often straightforward to calculate but require careful documentation to ensure all costs are accounted for.
Noneconomic Damages
These damages address intangible losses that are harder to quantify.
- Pain and suffering. This is compensation for physical pain and emotional distress resulting from the accident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life. These damages cover the diminished quality of life due to injuries. They factor in things such as the inability to participate in activities you once enjoyed.
Noneconomic damages can vary significantly based on the severity of your injuries and their impact on your daily life.
Punitive Damages
In rare cases, if the at-fault party’s actions were particularly reckless or malicious, you may be eligible for punitive damages. These damages are not compensatory. Instead, the intent is to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future. According to N.J.S.A. § 2A:15-5.9, punitive damages are capped at five times the compensatory damages or $350,000, whichever is greater.
Punitive damages are not common but can serve as an additional form of justice in cases involving egregious misconduct. Punitive damages are generally not covered by insurance which can make collection more difficult.
Why It is Crucial to Understand Damages You Can Claim
Without fully understanding the damages you can claim, you risk accepting a settlement that doesn’t cover your needs. For instance, an initial insurance offer might overlook noneconomic damages, significantly undervaluing your car accident claim compensation. Or it could fail to account for future medical expenses that you would then have to pay yourself.
Petro Cohen: Your Trusted Advocates in Car Accident Claims
If you have been injured in a car accident in New Jersey, do not wait to seek legal advice. Contact Petro Cohen today for a free consultation. We will evaluate your case, explain your rights, and help you pursue car accident damages claim that reflect the true extent of your losses.
Our proven track record demonstrates our commitment to helping clients secure the compensation they deserve. We take pride in developing strong professional relationships and being the firm, you can rely on for your legal needs.
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