If it’s ever happened to you, you know that being in a Wichita Falls car wreck can seriously affect your life. Because of the
serious consequences of Wichita Falls car wrecks, it’s important to understand what exactly you can recover for. In a typical Wichita Falls personal injury claim, damages are separated into two categories: compensatory damages and punitive damages.
Two Categories of Damages in Wichita Falls Car Wrecks
Compensatory Damages in Wichita Falls Car Wrecks
Compensatory damages in Wichita Falls car wrecks are meant to compensate you for the damage you have incurred from being in the accident and to make you whole again. Essentially, the goal is to, as much as possible, put you in the position you were in before the accident. Furthermore, compensatory damages can be broken down into two categories: economic damages and non-economic damages, which are explained below.
Economic Damages in Wichita Falls Car Wrecks
Economic damage in Wichita Falls car wrecks include everything that is relatively easy to calculate because you can put a hard, economic value on it. For example, medical bills have a set amount. When you get your bill, you will see the amount you owe. Thus, medical bills are economic damages. The following is a common list of compensatory economic damages available in Wichita Falls car wrecks.
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost income (past and future)
- Property damage
Non-Economic Damages in Wichita Falls Car Wrecks
Non-economic damage in Wichita Falls car wrecks include things that are difficult to calculate. Non-economic damages are meant to compensate you for things that are harder to calculate like the unnecessary pain you were forced to endure for your injuries. The following is a common list of compensatory non-economic damages available in Wichita Falls car wrecks.
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
- Disability and disfigurement
- Lost enjoyment of life
Punitive Damages in Wichita Falls Car Wrecks
While compensatory damages are meant to compensate you for your damages, punitive damages in Wichita Falls car wrecks are meant to punish the party who caused the accident. As such, punitive damages are really only awarded when the party who caused the accident committed extremely reckless or “grossly negligent” behavior.
Contact a Wichita Falls Car Wreck Lawyer
If you or anyone you know has been injured in a car wreck in Wichita Falls, contact our Wichita Falls car wreck lawyer at 940-569-4000 or fill out our contact form to set up a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation. We will give you a free evaluation of your case and offer you helpful information for how to proceed.