What Damages Can I Recover In a Motor Vehicle Accident Lawsuit?

If you get hurt in a car crash, you may be entitled to compensation. Our Washington, D.C. auto accident lawyers will help you fight for a fair compensation offer. This means securing all the types of damages that you deserve. Your settlement or verdict should reflect all of the pain and expenses caused by this motor vehicle accident.

How Long Do I Have to Sue For Damages?

There is a statute of limitations, so you cannot wait forever to sue for damages after a motor vehicle accident. Washington, D.C. gives you three years to take action, but we recommend acting quickly. The faster you file your claim, the faster you can get compensation. Plus, it could make it easier for your lawyer to gather important evidence or track down witnesses to your accident.

If you are filing a claim in Maryland, you still have three years before the statute of limitations expires. Virginia gives plaintiffs two years to bring their case forward.

What Kinds of Damages Can I Win?

There are a few different types of damages that you can win in a motor vehicle accident case. A fair compensation offer should help make up for:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of earning potential
  • Property damage, i.e. the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle
  • Loss of enjoyment
  • Pain from disability or disfigurement
  • Mental anguish
  • Psychological trauma

The compensation that addresses the more easily quantifiable expenses stemming from your accident, like property damage and medical expenses, are known as economic damages. Then there are non-economic damages that are meant to address the pain and suffering you experienced, even though it’s a bit harder to place an exact value on things like psychological trauma.

Can I Win Punitive Damages?

Punitive damages are rarely awarded in motor vehicle accident cases. They are usually reserved for situations in which someone behaves so negligently that this additional punishment must be doled out. These damages could be awarded when a drunk driver causes someone serious injuries, for example.

There is no cap on this type of compensation in Washington, D.C. or Maryland, and each state has its own way of calculating what kind of award would be fair. Then there is Virginia, which does cap these types of damages at $350,000.

Do I Need an Attorney?

You are not required to hire an attorney, but one can do a lot to help you with your personal injury case. They can negotiate for fair compensation on your behalf, help you gather evidence, and put you in touch with expert witnesses who can strengthen your arguments. Let us do the work while you focus on recovering from your injuries.

Schedule Your Consultation

If you want to learn more about what our experienced attorneys can to assist with a motor vehicle accident lawsuit, contact Trombly & Singer, PLLC. We can schedule a free case consultation for you and tell you more about what we will do to help you secure the damages you deserve.