Economic Damages vs. Non-Economic Damages After a Tampa Car Accident
When approaching a Tampa car accident claim, you might encounter many new phrases. Some of these legal phrases might sound confusing, and you may be particularly perplexed by phrases like “economic damages” and “non-economic damages.” What do these phrases mean? How do they affect your compensation after a crash? Can a Tampa auto accident lawyer help you pursue this compensation?
What Are Damages?
“Damages” represent your losses in a car accident. These are the negative things you’ve been forced to endure as a direct result of your car accident. A typical car accident victim incurs various damages due to the medical, psychological, and financial consequences of a crash. These losses might include medical bills, emotional distress, vehicle damage, and lost income.
The key thing to remember is that if someone else caused your damages, you should not have to pay for them out of your own pocket. Florida has laws that protect injured victims in this situation, and you can pursue compensation for your losses in various ways.
What Are Economic Damages?
Economic damages are your financial losses. These include lost income, vehicle damage, and medical bills. In the case of a fatal accident, the surviving family members might also incur funeral expenses on behalf of their deceased loved one.
Economic damages should always be covered by Florida’s no-fault system. In other words, you should not have to pay for these expenses out of your own pocket, even if someone else caused your crash. While this is true in most cases, there are always a few exceptions. You might want to discuss your unique situation with a Florida personal injury attorney.
What Are Non-Economic Damages?
Non-economic damages are psychological or emotional losses. Due to their non-financial nature, they can be difficult to assess and calculate. There are many different types of non-economic damages to consider.
Common examples include emotional distress, pain & suffering, and depression. More complex non-economic damages include things like “loss of enjoyment of life,” humiliation, and disfigurement.
Due to the limitations of Florida’s no-fault system, it might be impossible to pursue non-economic damages unless you have suffered a serious injury. Examples of serious injuries include things like amputations, spinal cord injuries, severe traumatic brain injuries, and so on.
How much are your non-economic damages worth? This is something you might want to discuss with your lawyer, as calculation methods can vary. You should also check with your lawyer to see whether it is even possible to pursue non-economic damages in your situation.
Can a Tampa Auto Accident Lawyer Help Me Get Compensation?
Yes, a Tampa auto accident lawyer could help you pursue the compensation you need after a crash. While it might be helpful to learn the differences between non-economic and economic damages, you don’t need to become a legal professional to pursue compensation. Instead, you can rely on guidance from Anderson & Anderson. Contact us to learn more about the next steps in your claim.
Source:
wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/police-investigating-fatal-crash-on-fowler-ave-in-tampa/
