Recoverable Damages in Creve Coeur Car Accident Cases | The Law Offices of Kevin Roach, LLC.
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After being involved in a motor vehicle collision, you likely are dealing with severe physical and mental anguish. The cost of treating your injuries and repairing your damaged vehicle can be overwhelming and can make a difficult time even more challenging.

Fortunately, the state allows injured parties to seek recoverable damages in Creve Coeur car accident cases from the at-fault driver. If you were struck by a negligent motorist, do not hesitate to seek guidance from a hardworking local injury attorney.

How Much Does Auto Insurance Cover in an Accident?

Commonly referred to as med pay, auto insurance can pay up to the coverage amount, usually $1,000.00 or $5,000.00, to cover an injured motorist’s medical expenses. Med pay is different than other coverages because it does not mater who is at fault for the accident.

Missouri also requires all motorists to have a minimum of $25,000.00 in uninsured motorist coverage. This could help injured parties in the event they are struck by an uninsured driver or involved in a hit and run.

There are also more specific coverages that handle rental vehicles or fatalities. Someone involved in a car wreck should speak with an experienced attorney in the area to discuss what losses their insurance covers.

Calculating Non-Economic Losses

Non-economic damages compensate vehicle crash victim for their pain and suffering. Due to these losses being intangible, it is often difficult to quantify them, unlike economic losses that have an exact value attached to them.

Oftentimes, to calculate non-economic losses, a court will look at the long-term impact of the injury. For instance, whiplash can cause minor neck trauma that may last a few months. On the other hand, paralysis will permanently impact a person’s ability to work and complete daily tasks. In this case, someone who is paralyzed in a vehicle accident most likely will receive a higher damages award than someone who suffered whiplash.

In catastrophic injury cases, a local attorney may bring in an expert witness to help testify on behalf of the injured party. This is often a medical professional who could explain the lasting impact the claimant’s injuries could have on their quality of life.

Determining Punitive Damages in Creve Coeur

Unlike compensatory damages, punitive damages do not aim to compensate the injured party for their losses. These exemplary damages are awarded when the defendant behaved in a way that was malicious or egregious, such as driving drunk or fleeing the scene of the wreck.

Punitive damages cannot be more than five times the judgment against the defendant. For example, if a claimant is awarded $1,000,000.00 in compensatory damages, punitive damages cannot exceed $5,000,000.00. Anything more than five times the underlying judgment is considered unreasonable or excessive.

Recover Damages After a Car Accident with Help from a Creve Coeur Attorney

Whether you were rear-ended or T-boned, any type of auto crash can result in devastating losses. Fortunately, the recoverable damages in car accident cases could compensate you for your financial and personal losses suffered.

However, without help from a seasoned attorney, it could be difficult to reach a fair damage award. Therefore, call our office today and schedule a consultation with our team of trustworthy lawyers.