Types of Damages in a Car Accident - St. Louis Auto Wreck Attorneys

In St. Louis, if you are in an auto accident, there are different types of damages that you may be entitled to, depending on who is at fault. Missouri is a state that adheres to the pure comparative fault system, meaning that damages are awarded to each party in a car accident according to the percentage of fault that is ascribed to them.

If you are in an accident, the amount of fault that you hold will determine how much you are entitled to collect. Unlike at-fault states, Missouri’s system of determining fault is generally more complex.

When you incur damages in a car accident, the aim of St. Louis's auto accident laws is to make each party “whole” -- that means that it seeks to award each party the amount that it takes to restore them economically to where they were before the accident occurred. There are different types of damages that a person who is injured in an accident can recover.

Some of them are awarded to recover for property damage and others are awarded for any injuries that the drivers sustain in the accident. There are also awards that take care of damages that are already realized, and some that anticipate those that might arise in the future.

Since many injuries from a car accident might not surface immediately, it is imperative that you speak with a St. Louis car accident attorney. They will be capable of determining not just what you will need to cover your injuries and damages to date, but they will also be able to discern what your damages might involve in the future. There are two different types of damages that you are allowed to claim in a vehicular accident: economic damages and noneconomic damages.

Economic damages

Those who are injured in a car accident are generally entitled to seek economic damages in the form of:

• Medical expenses for both the past and the future

• Lost wages for both the past and the future

• Lost wages due to loss of earning capacity

• Loss of capacity to perform their household duties

• Damages to their property -- both the car and whatever was inside of it

• Loss of profits (for example, if you had a home business that you cannot devote your time to because of your injuries)

Noneconomic damages

Noneconomic damages are more subjective, and therefore are sometimes harder to both prove and recover. Because putting a price on noneconomic damages is more difficult, it is helpful to consult with a St. Louis auto accident attorney to ensure your right to compensation is protected. Noneconomic damages typically come in the form of:

• Mental and physical pain and suffering

• Emotional distress

• Loss of consortium (which includes things like spousal companionship and services)

If you are in an accident in St. Louis, the first step that you have to take is to determine how much negligence you bear. Once the comparative fault has been calculated, a St. Louis car accident lawyer can help you to decipher what types of damages you may be entitled to and how to calculate them.

Read more: Claiming Damages for a Car Accident Injury

The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C.

Phone: (314) 361-4242