Every day, on average, there are about 188 car accidents on the roads and freeways in the Bayou City. That adds up to over 68,000 every year. This trend doesn’t appear to be changing anytime soon as more people move into Houston as well as into Texas. A car accident quickly becomes expensive. Here, we’ll break down the different compensation available.
Economic Damages
These are direct financial losses that a person suffers because of another person’s negligence. They may be mitigated by insurance, paid time off from work, or other subsidies. But frequently, they are not enough to make an accident victim whole. Texas does not limit the amount you can recover for economic damages.
- Medical Expenses
From the ambulance that rushes you to the emergency room, to the ER, doctors, nurses, and other medical services for immediate treatment, to follow-up visits, physical therapy, and long-term medical care, this is payment for all of the medical care needed related to an accident. The expenses will depend on the extent of your injuries, and your prognosis for recovery.
Long-term care is also considered and included. Paralysis and other debilitating conditions that lead to disability and additional long-term medical care are part of future accident-related medical expenses.
- Lost Wages
Unless your accident was minor, you probably lost at least a few days from work. Even with a broken bone or other injuries, you may not have been able to return to work immediately. If you burned through all your sick and vacation time—or didn’t have any—that causes financial destabilization, preventing you from paying bills and caring for your family.
A person permanently disabled and unable to return to work will need compensation and “back pay” to make up for lost future wages, and possibly the loss of their career.
- Property Damage
Your car, its damages, and diminished value post-accident, meaning you may need to buy another one.
Non-Economic Damages
This is the term for compensation awarded that does not reimburse a plaintiff for monetary losses like medical expenses or lost wages. Unlike compensatory damages, there are some limits on non-economic damages.
- Pain & Suffering
This is compensation that covers issues such as:
- Chronic pain
- Disfigurement, scarring, loss of a body part or function
- Insomnia
- Loss of cognitive function
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental and emotional anguish, anxiety, depression, or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
- Paralysis or loss of mobility
These damages do not have limits.
- Punitive Damages
Also called “exemplary damages,” these are damages awarded to the plaintiff that “punish” the defendant for their negligent behavior, such as DWI, and make them an example to discourage others from doing the same thing. Punitive damages cannot exceed two times the amount of economic damages or $200,000 plus an amount equal to non-economic damages, capped at $750,000.
Contact a Texas Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, you could be entitled to compensation. Contact Paxton Law Firm today by calling (281) 978-2244 or filling out our online contact form. During your free consultation, you can learn more about your legal options.
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