You might be suffering emotionally, physically, and financially after a car accident. If your accident and injuries resulted from the behavior of another party you may be able to collect compensation for costs associated with the incident. Contact a Kane County auto accident lawyer to learn how you can recover damages in a motor vehicle accident lawsuit.
What Compensation Can I Get During a Motor Vehicle Accident Lawsuit?
If you were involved in a motor vehicle accident you can recover several types of damages during a claim or lawsuit. You may suffer both economic and non-economic losses, and you may be eligible to receive compensation for both. Consider the following damages that you may be able to recover.
- Medical expenses: If you suffered any injuries due to the accident your medical expenses will be one of the main considerations for damages. Expenses can include ambulance rides, hospital stays, surgery costs, medication, treatments, etc.
- Property damage: Your car or vehicle was likely damaged due to the collision. You can request compensation for repairs made to your vehicle.
- Lost wages: If your injuries prevented you from working for a time you may have missed out on wages and compensation from your job. This can include your salary, benefits, opportunities, etc. You can be reimbursed for the wages that you would have otherwise earned.
- Pain and suffering: A major concern for many is emotional damage. You can receive compensation for your physical pain, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, loss of enjoyment of life, disability, etc.
- Punitive damages: You could also be awarded punitive damages depending on the behavior of the negligent party. If they acted in a particularly reckless manner a judge may award punitive damages to further punish the liable party and set an example for others.
- Funeral expenses: If a loved one was involved in the accident and unfortunately passed away, you and your family probably had to foot the bill for funeral and burial expenses. You may be able to recover damages for these expenses as well as the loss of financial support, emotional support, guidance, companionship, and more.
Numerous expenses will make themselves known after an accident. If the crash was not your fault you should not be on the hook for these costs. The above and more can be recovered during a lawsuit or claim, depending on the circumstances of the situation.
How Long Do I Have to Sue After an Accident?
Accidents and crimes have statutes of limitations that dictate how long a victim has after an incident to pursue legal action. In Illinois, you have two years from the day of the accident to file a lawsuit or claim. If you only wish to file a claim for property damage the limit extends to 5 years.
If you fail to begin legal action before the statute of limitations is up you no longer have the legal right to recover damages and compensation. Speak with an accident attorney today and make sure to file in a timely manner.