Recoverable Damages in a Lakewood Auto Injury Claim

Victims who suffer injuries as a result of a person’s negligence in an auto accident should feel entitled to compensation. However, insurance companies are primarily concerned with their own profit, making the recovery process difficult to overcome. Fortunately, measures are available to those looking to hold an at-fault party accountable for their accident.

By retaining the services of an injury attorney, you may be able to prove damages and argue convincingly against the at-fault party’s insurance company. By doing so, you may be able to maximize the amount of recoverable damages in a Lakewood auto injury claim.

Obtaining Economic Damages Following an Auto Accident

Economic damages account for injuries that are more tangible and quantifiable. These damages allow victims to recover financial losses suffered as a result of a personal injury. Examples may include:

• Loss of wages
• Property damage
• Medical expenses

In order to prove economic damages, it is important for victims to be able to provide supportive evidence. For medical costs, it is vital that victims seek out medical assistance in order to have a legal record of their injuries. For property damage, picture and video evidence may be able to demonstrate the extent of the incurred property damage. To prove loss of wages, victims are encouraged to maintain an accurate count of days and paychecks missed due to their injury.

Calculating Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages include injuries that are not easily quantifiable. Most of these injuries are not physical and are commonly associated with the mental health of the victim following an accident. Examples of non-economic damages include:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Disability or disfigurement

Non-economic damages can also be included in a settlement package. They could also be determined by a jury in the event a settlement is not reached. Due to the intangible value of these damages, it is worthwhile to retain the services of an attorney to help you with calculating damages. A lawyer may be able to give you an accurate estimate of the amount of non-economic damages owed to you in order to maximize your compensation award.

Damage Caps

In Colorado, damages are generally capped to $250,000 plus inflation. If there is clear and convincing evidence that a decedent suffered grievous pain and suffering, that cap can be increased to $500,000.

What Damages does an Auto Insurer Cover?

A person’s auto insurance can cover multiple types of damages. The first type is bodily injury. The minimum coverage in Colorado is $25,000, but the insurance can elect to get higher coverage. A person could also obtain property damage coverage for their vehicle. Uninsured motorist coverage is also available for protection against at-fault parties who do not have automobile insurance.

Drivers may also decide to obtain GAP insurance on their automobile. This covers the difference between the amount for which they purchased the car and the car’s worth when they get into an accident if they have not yet paid the car off.

Contact an Attorney Today

When you retain the services of an attorney, you would be working with someone who could help you obtain relevant information necessary for recovering damages in a Lakewood auto injury claim, including an accident police report, property damage estimates, and medical bills.

To move forward with an auto injury claim, be sure to schedule a consultation today.