When you’re a victim of an Aurora car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you’re entitled to compensation to cover your losses and injuries. This usually includes medical expenses, lost wages and lost earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and compensation for permanent disability or disfigurement. Below is some more information about about the compensation you could be entitled to:
Medical Expenses
Car accident victims in Colorado are entitled to have their medical bills covered by the party at fault. This includes the cost of emergency room care, ambulance services, hospitalizations, surgeries, X-rays and scans, prescription medications, physical therapy, rehabilitation, follow-up doctor visits, and long-term care when needed. You may also claim projected future medical costs if your injuries require ongoing treatment, additional surgeries, or chronic pain management.
Lost Wages and Lost Earning Capacity
If your injuries keep you from working after a crash, you can claim lost income. This includes your salary or hourly pay, bonuses, and lost tips or commissions. It could even include lost vacation days or anything else that could be considered income or benefits. If your accident leads to long-term limitations or you become permanently unable to do your job or earn at your previous income level, you may receive damages for lost earning capacity as well.
Property Damage
If your vehicle, electronics, clothing, glasses, child car seats, or any other personal belongings inside your car were damaged in the crash, the at-fault party (usually through their insurance provider) is responsible for those repair or replacement costs. You may get coverage for rental vehicles or public transportation costs while your car is being fixed or replaced.
Pain and Suffering
Victims often recover damages not only for their economic losses, but also for pain and suffering. This covers physical pain, discomfort, scarring, and potential loss of function, as well as emotional distress, anxiety, trauma, sleep disturbance, and resulting mental health struggles after the crash.
Permanent Disability or Disfigurement
If the wreck causes long-term changes, such as permanent disabilities or visible scarring, you may be entitled to extra compensation to address the lifetime challenges and reduced quality of life those injuries cause.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
An accident might prevent you from enjoying hobbies, family activities, sports, or travel you used to do before your injury. Colorado law allows for “loss of enjoyment of life” damages, which are personal and based on how your daily life and relationships are affected after the accident.
Loss of Consortium
A spouse and possibly other immediate family members of an injured person can make claims in some cases for “loss of consortium.” You may be entitled to damages when injuries meaningfully change a marital relationship or important family role – this includes companionship, emotional support, intimacy, and ability to help with parenting or household work.
Punitive Damages
If the party responsible for your crash acted particularly egregiously, the court might award punitive damages. These damages are not based on your financial losses, but instead are meant to punish especially bad conduct and deter others from similar acts.
Recovering compensation after an accident is usually best done with the help of an experienced lawyer. Ridder Law can help you figure out what you may be able to recover and help you determine what steps to take next. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation at (303) 529-9662.