Because Colorado is an at-fault state for car accidents, the party responsible for causing the accident is responsible for paying for the damages they cause. Damages represent the various losses you experience due to the accident. An experienced car accident attorney in Boulder can review your case to determine the damages you may be able to seek and pursue maximum compensation for your claim.
Call us at 720-303-8591 for free consult with an expert attorney from Daniels & Scriven, P.C. today.
Types of Damages in Car Accident Cases
Damages in Colorado are generally divided into the following categories:
Economic Damages
Economic damages provide compensation for financial losses the car accident caused. Common examples of economic damages awarded in motor vehicle accident cases include:
- Medical expenses – Car accident victims may incur various medical bills for the treatment they receive. They can receive compensation for emergency medical treatment, the ambulance ride, long-term care costs, rehabilitation, and medicine.
- Lost wages – You can recover compensation for wages you lost from missed work and employment benefits you had to use due to the accident.
- Lost earning capacity – If you cannot work due to injuries, you can seek compensation from the at-fault driver for the permanent reduction in your earning capacity.
- Property damage – You can also seek compensation for your vehicle repairs or the value of a totaled car.
Economic damages are typically calculated using financial records, such as invoices, receipts, and estimates. Sometimes, experts must testify about future losses.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages provide compensation for personal or emotional losses that accident victims suffer that are not easily quantifiable. These losses may include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Discomfort
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Psychological trauma
- Lost quality of life due to injuries, physical disabilities, and impairments
- Scarring and disfigurement
Due to the subjective nature of these losses, they can be challenging to calculate, but an experienced attorney can help document and pursue maximum compensation for your non-economic losses.
Exemplary Damages
Exemplary damages or punitive damages may be awarded in some car accident lawsuits. These damages do not compensate injury victims for losses. Instead, they penalize at-fault parties for willful, wanton, or malicious misconduct and seek to deter similar conduct in the future.
A personal injury attorney in Boulder will be able to go over all of these damages you can be compensated for with you and guide you through every legal step along the way.
How to Calculate Damages in Car Accident Claims
Calculating damages depends on the type of damages. For economic damages, you add up all of the quantifiable losses. You can use receipts, invoices, bills, estimates, pay stubs, and other objective information. Medical, vocational, and economic experts may evaluate future damages.
When a case goes to trial, juries are instructed to use their personal experiences to determine the value of non-economic damages. Similarly, courts consider the defendant’s conduct and its egregiousness when awarding exemplary damages that sufficiently punish the at-fault party and deter similar conduct.
Non-economic damages and punitive damages are capped by state law. This amount is adjusted every two years for inflation. An experienced attorney will work to maximize the value of all your damages.
Contact Our Experienced Car Accident Lawyers for Legal Guidance and Representation
Car accidents can have a significant impact on your life. You deserve to be fairly compensated for your losses. For a free consultation, contact Daniels & Scriven, P.C. today at 720-303-8591 .