7 Types of Compensation After a Car Accident in St. Louis

Depending on the severity of the accident and the at-fault party’s percentage, there are generally 7 types of compensation you or your family may be eligible to receive.

No matter how it happens, being involved in a car accident can be scary. It is one of the leading causes of trauma for many individuals. It is estimated that almost 30 percent of people have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder following a motor vehicle accident. 

It also can have a lasting impact on a person’s physical, emotional and financial health. If you are injured due to a car accident, you may be rushed to the hospital by ambulance, need surgery or medical assistance, and may have to stay overnight or at the hospital for several days. This can impact your ability to work and lead to increased medical bills. 

At The Hoffmann Law Firm, our St. Louis car accident lawyers are here to help. If someone else is responsible for the car accident, we can protect your legal rights and fight to recover damages and expenses related to the collision and associated injuries.

Depending on the severity of the accident and the at-fault party’s percentage, there are generally 7 types of compensation you or your family may be eligible to receive. 

1. Property damages: This can encompass any damages that occurred to your car, home, or personal belongings due to the accident. 
2. Medical bills: This can include ambulances, emergency room costs, medical bills incurred directly from the event. It can also entail any long-term adjustments or future expenses, such as rehabilitation and follow-up appointments and adjustments to the home such as ramps or widened doorways. 
3. Pain and suffering: In some cases, we can prove significant pain or suffering and determine a monetary value that would relieve this burden. 
4. Loss of wages or employment: In some accidents, you will not be able to return to work for a few days as you recover. In more serious accidents, it may be a forever change. When this happens, we can help you recover potential or lost wages to alleviate stress. 
5. Loss of enjoyment: Similar to compensation received for pain and suffering, having a decreased quality of life and lacking joy in things you otherwise loved can also be a potential area of compensation. 
6. Loss of “consortium”: If a spouse or companion is significantly injured or dies in a car accident, that loss of love, support, affection, and inability to provide for the home can all be viable means to pursue financial recovery. 
7. Punitive damages: If there is clear and convincing evidence that the responsible party deliberately caused an accident or acted with flagrant disregard for others’ safety, a person may be able to file for punitive damages. 

If you or a loved one have been injured in a St. Louis car accident, speak with an experienced attorney at The Hoffmann Law Firm today for a free case evaluation. We have 25 years of experience protecting the rights of injury victims in St. Louis and are here to help.