A motor vehicle accident can cause you to have anything from minor to catastrophic physical and emotional injuries. In Florida and Georgia, you have the ability to recover three types of damages following an accident. These include economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages. The laws in these two states are slightly different, so our motor vehicle accident attorney will explain the concept of negligence, gross negligence, and the types of damages you can recover.
Economic Damages
Most people can recover compensation for economic damages, which have a monetary value. These damages may include:
- Medical expenses: You could recover all medical expenses related to the accident. If you have severe or catastrophic injuries or are suffering from anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder related to the accident or accident injuries, you may also recover psychological therapy expenses. Medical expenses include future medical expenses, including most types of therapy appointments, prescriptions, and future medical appointments.
- Personal property: You can recover compensation for personal property, such as your vehicle and other property damaged or destroyed in the accident.
- Wages: If your injuries prevent you from working in your field, force you to take a lower-paying job, or prevent you from working at all, you might recover future loss of earning capacity in addition to lost wages.
- Death-related expenses: If your loved one died in an accident, you may be able to recover funeral, burial, and cremation expenses, as well as probate attorney’s fees and certain probate court costs.
Non-Economic Damages
Those who suffer long-term or permanent disabilities caused by accident injuries might recover compensation for non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, inconvenience, loss of quality of life, loss of consortium, and loss of companionship. If you suffered excessive scarring or disfigurement or had to have a limb amputated, you might also recover additional compensation.
Punitive Damages
Both Florida and Georgia allow you to recover punitive damages if the defendant was grossly negligent as opposed to “plain” negligence. For example, speeding on a street closed to traffic might constitute gross negligence.
Schedule a Consultation Today
If you were hurt in a motor vehicle accident, you need skilled legal representation. Our team is available to help. Our dedicated lawyers at Kelleher Law serve Naples, Fort Myers, and the surrounding areas in Florida, and Roswell and the surrounding areas in Georgia. To find out more about filing a car accident case, schedule a consultation by calling 833-546-3675.
