Car Accident Compensation

Our Maine car accident lawyers explain what to expect

If you’ve been in a car accident, you may feel so overwhelmed to the point where seeking compensation doesn’t even cross your mind. It’s easy to feel lost in the paperwork, insurance negotiations, and legal details. But don’t be discouraged. You are entitled to seek compensation for the accident-related expenses you’ve endured.

Understanding what to expect when seeking compensation is the first step toward getting the financial support you need to recover and move forward. Whether you’re dealing with medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering, you don’t have to deal with this alone. Our firm is here for you every step of the way, so you know what to expect from the process.

What is car accident compensation?

Car accident compensation is the financial recovery you may be entitled to after an accident, helping to cover the physical, emotional, and financial toll it takes on your life. Whether you’ve sustained serious injuries or suffered from emotional distress, compensation can help ease the burden of medical expenses, lost wages, and pain.

What damages can I recover?

In a car accident claim, the compensation you can pursue typically falls into two major categories: economic damages and non-economic damages. These categories are designed to help cover both tangible losses, like medical bills, and intangible losses, like emotional distress.

Economic damages: These are the actual, measurable costs you’ve incurred because of the accident. This includes medical expenses for hospital visits, doctor’s appointments, treatments, rehabilitation, and future medical care. Additionally, lost wages can be claimed for the time you’ve missed from work due to your injuries. If your condition requires long-term care or affects your ability to work in the future, these costs can be factored in as well.
Non-economic damages: Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages are harder to measure but no less important. They cover the pain and suffering you’ve endured because of the accident, as well as emotional distress such as anxiety, depression, or loss of enjoyment of life. In some cases, victims may also be entitled to compensation for loss of consortium (the impact the injury has had on relationships with spouses or family members).
Punitive damages: While not as common, punitive damages may be awarded in cases where the defendant acted with extreme recklessness or intentional harm. They are typically awarded in cases of gross negligence, such as drunk driving.

Factors that influence your car accident compensation

Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, and the type and severity of your injuries play a major role in determining the amount of compensation you may be entitled to. Some examples of common injuries people suffer in car accidents include:

Shoulder pain: Injuries to the shoulder, such as sprains, strains, or dislocations, are common after car accidents, particularly in side-impact or rear-end collisions. Shoulder pain can limit your range of motion and affect your ability to work or perform daily tasks, leading to higher compensation for pain and suffering.
Broken ribs: Rib fractures are common in accidents, especially when the chest experiences direct trauma. Broken ribs can be extremely painful and may result in complications like punctured lungs or internal bleeding. Medical bills for these types of injuries can quickly add up, influencing the overall compensation you can seek.
Lower back pain: Lower back injuries, including herniated discs or muscle strains, are frequent after car accidents, especially in rear-end collisions. These injuries can be long-lasting and may require ongoing treatment, including physical therapy, chiropractic care, or even surgery. Because lower back pain can affect mobility and long-term health, compensation often includes both economic and non-economic damages.
Tinnitus: Tinnitus, or a ringing in the ears, can result from whiplash or head injuries in car accidents. While the condition can be temporary, it may also become chronic and significantly affect your quality of life. Compensation for tinnitus typically focuses on the long-term discomfort and impact it has on your ability to concentrate, sleep, and live normally.

Compensation, however, isn’t solely based on the injuries themselves. There are several key factors that can influence the final amount you are awarded, including the extent of the damage, how your injuries affect your daily life, and whether the accident was caused by negligence or reckless behavior.

More factors that influence compensation include:

Liability: Who was at fault for the accident? If the other driver was clearly negligent or reckless, you may be entitled to more compensation. On the other hand, if fault is disputed, your compensation may be reduced.
Medical expenses: The severity of your injuries directly impacts your medical costs. More serious injuries, such as those requiring long-term care or surgery, typically result in higher compensation amounts.
Impact on quality of life: Compensation may also depend on how the injury affects your daily activities and overall lifestyle. For example, if you can no longer work or enjoy activities you once did due to chronic pain, this can lead to higher non-economic damages.
Long-term effects: Some injuries take time to show their full impact. Delayed symptoms or long-term complications can significantly affect the value of your claim. It’s important to monitor your condition and keep your lawyer updated on any changes.

Car accident compensation for wrongful death

Losing a loved one in a car accident is an unimaginable tragedy. When that loss is caused by someone else’s negligence or reckless behavior, the emotional and financial burdens can be amplified. While no amount of money can truly replace the person you’ve lost, compensation can help ease the financial impact of your loved one’s death.

In wrongful death cases, the surviving family members or beneficiaries may be entitled to compensation. This can include various types of damages, such as:

Funeral and burial expenses: The unexpected costs of a loved one’s funeral and burial can be financially devastating. Compensation may cover these expenses, helping to relieve some of the immediate financial pressure.
Loss of financial support: If the deceased was the primary income earner, surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for the financial support they would have received if the accident hadn’t occurred. This can cover lost wages, future earnings, and the economic impact on the family.
Loss of companionship: Car accidents can also rob survivors of the emotional support, care, and companionship they would have otherwise received. Compensation for loss of consortium can help address the emotional suffering and loss of love, affection, and support that the surviving family members now face.
Pain and suffering: While it’s impossible to put a price on the pain caused by the loss of a loved one, compensation for pain and suffering can help account for the mental anguish, emotional distress, and overall grief experienced by the family.

How a Maine car accident lawyer can help you secure the compensation you deserve

Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming – physically, emotionally, and financially. Between medical bills, lost wages, and recovery, it’s hard to focus on securing the compensation you deserve. This is where an experienced car accident lawyer can make all the difference.

An experienced Maine car accident attorney from Romanow Law Group will guide you through the entire legal process, ensuring you understand your rights and the full scope of compensation you’re entitled to. We’ll handle the legal complexities, from filing your claim to negotiating with insurance companies, so you can focus on healing.

We will also investigate the accident, gather evidence, consult experts, and build a strong case on your behalf. We know how to handle insurance negotiations and protect you from unfair offers, making sure you receive the compensation you deserve for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and more.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident or lost a loved one, you don’t have to face this alone. Our attorneys will fight for the maximum car accident compensation you deserve, nothing less. Contact us today for a free consultation or visit us at our office in Portland, Maine.