Because Indiana takes a “fault-based” approach to car accident litigation as opposed to a “no-fault” one, there is nothing legally stopping you from filing suit against the person responsible for injuring you in a wreck. That said, getting a favorable result from this type of claim can be much trickier in practice—especially for those who do not have a clear idea of what losses they can even demand money for in the first place.
While recoverable damages after a Merrillville car accident can change from case to case depending on the specific injuries sustained, most cases of this nature follow standardized patterns. With that in mind, here are some of the damages that our auto accident attorneys at The Law Offices of David W. Holub often incorporate into claims created on behalf of people just like you.
Recovering Economic Forms of Harm
The first order of business in virtually every Merrillville car accident case is recovering for economic damages. These are objective financial values that can be proven through bills, receipts, and similar quantitative evidence. Medical expenses often make up the bulk of these damages. Also, it is possible to recover for expected future costs of things like physical therapy and assistive equipment in addition to treatment already received by the time someone files suit.
Along similar lines, it is possible to recover for lost income while recovering from an injury, as well as losses of job-related benefits such as health and disability insurance.
Non-Economic Car Crash Damages
Non-economic damages in Merrillville car crash claims are the opposite of economic bills in that their value is entirely subjective and must be defined through qualitative evidence like witness testimony and the opinions of qualified experts. These are sometimes alternatively referred to as pain and suffering damages since they typically represent the bulk of non-economic losses from a car wreck. However, it is also possible to seek restitution for things like emotional anguish, psychological trauma, and overall loss of quality of life.
Punitive Damages in Car Wreck Claims
In very rare cases, there may be damages for extremely egregious negligence or intentional malice by a defendant. These are known as punitive damages. A court can impose them against that defendant and award them as extra compensation to the injured person. However, as per Indiana Code § 34-51-3-4, punitive damages are capped at $50,000 or three times the value of the plaintiff’s economic and non-economic losses combined.
A Merrillville Attorney Could Help Maximize Compensable Losses After a Car Accident
Even if you know about all the recoverable damages after a Merrillville car accident that could be factored into your lawsuit or settlement demand, the process of actually getting paid what you deserve for your losses involves many steps.
Fortunately, the dedicated legal professionals at The Law Offices of David W. Holub have a track record of getting favorable results from cases much like yours. Call today to schedule a consultation.