After being involved in a serious car accident, physical recovery is often first and foremost on an accident victim’s mind. However, even after the initial stages of physical recovery are complete, the lasting effects of serious trauma to the body are not likely to ever go away.
Whether an accident victim sustains such serious harm that they are left paralyzed, or they are one of the lucky ones and are only left with lingering pain, the fact is that the repercussions of a serious accident are something that must be dealt with for the rest of an accident victim’s life. It is for this reason that Florida does not cap the damages that can be recovered for an accident victim’s future care.
Potential Damages After a Florida Car Accident
There are several types of damages that are available to an injured Florida accident victim if he or she is able to substantiate a claim in a court of law. First, and most common, is compensation for medical expenses. This award may cover both past and future medical expenses, but it is not limited to doctor’s visits or necessary surgeries. In some cases, accident victims are able to recover the costs needed to retrofit their home so that it is more accommodating for someone with significant physical limitations. For example, wheelchair ramps and kitchen and bathroom remodeling may be necessary.
Another area of potential recovery is for lost wages and decrease in earning capacity. Often, an accident victim is not able to go back to work for many months, if at all. These damages help compensate an injured party for the money that they could have made had they never been involved in the accident.
Finally, there are non-economic damages that help compensate a plaintiff for things such as pain and suffering, decrease in the enjoyment of life, or limitations on relationships with loved ones. These can be substantial, depending on the extent of the injuries sustained.
One Family Continues to Deal with the Effects of Their Injuries
Earlier last month, a Miami Herald article detailed the battles of a family who suffered a tragic auto accident back in 2003. According to the report, the family’s SUV was struck by a teenage driver going 80 miles per hour on the Sawgrass Expressway. The SUV ended up in a ditch. Thankfully, both the children sustained only minor injuries. However, their mother was paralyzed from the waist down. The father was also severely injured, and only after over 10 surgeries is he able to walk, although with significant limitations.
Unfortunately, the driver causing the accident did not have insurance, and the family was required to sell most of their possessions to pay for their medical expenses and necessary treatment. However, that has not stopped the family from keeping a positive attitude that things will continue to improve for them.
Have You Been Injured in a Florida Car Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been involved in a serious Florida car accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for all that you have been through. As discussed above, you may be eligible for several different types of damages awards. Even in cases in which the other driver does not have insurance, your own insurance may kick in to help you cover necessary costs. However, insurance companies are notorious for contesting even the most meritorious claims. To make sure that you are treated with the dignity and respect you are entitled to, contact the Florida personal injury law firm of Cecere Santana at 800-753-5529. Calling is free and will not result in any obligation on your part unless we are able to help you recover for your injuries.
More Blog Posts:
Florida Workplace Accidents: Workers’ Compensation or a Personal Injury Lawsuit?, Cecere Santana Injury Lawyers Blog, published December 7, 2015.
Miami County Motorcycle Accident Critically Injures Rider and Passenger, Cecere Santana Injury Lawyers Blog, published November 25, 2015.