When a vehicle crash occurs, the parties involved in the accident may be able to receive compensation for their injuries and damages from automobile insurance companies. Each state has its own laws and procedures for filing these claims, with some states offering different levels of protection.

In Indiana—as in most states—the insurance company will pay the victim as long as they are not at fault for the accident. Here is a look at some things you may be entitled to claim in Indiana when dealing with your automobile insurance company:

• Pain and suffering
• Property damages
• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Emotional distress
• Loss of earning capacity

Medical Bills

Medical payment is the first and most apparent compensation you can receive after a car accident. It’s typically given to the injured party as reimbursement for medical expenses, including hospital bills, doctor visits, and medication.

You should complete your medical treatment to include medical expenses as part of your losses. That entails attending each doctor’s appointment and taking each drug your physician recommends.

This will help you document your injury and show the insurance company that the severity of your injury was not overstated. Medical documents can also help prove a link between the collision and your injuries.

Compensation for Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering allude to the extent of the damage, the misery, and the anticipated length of pain. Although there isn’t a set method for estimating a victim’s pain and suffering, a skilled car accident lawyer in Indianapolis may review your claim and determine the amount of compensation that would be fair, given the pain and suffering you endured.

Attorneys frequently use a set figure to multiply your medical costs and other financial damages to determine adequate compensation for pain and suffering. Alternatively, other lawyers might calculate the daily value of your pain and then multiply it by the number of days you need medical care.

Lost Wages

Your damages may also include your lost wages. In most cases, this means that you will be paid the difference between your employment income before the accident and the income you would have earned if you had not been injured.

Based primarily on your prior earnings, you must demonstrate that your future earning capacity has been affected or lowered due to the injuries. Age, occupation, skill, experience, and life expectancy are all things that a jury will consider.

Emotional Distress

When you’re injured in a car accident, you may be experiencing a wide range of emotions. You may feel angry and upset when the other driver is at fault. Just like injuries to your physical health, damage to your mental and emotional well-being requires professional attention.

You have a right to reimbursement for any expenses incurred in your quest for better mental health. The judge or jury will need to determine if your emotional distress was caused or worsened by accident.

Loss of Earning Capacity

You might be eligible for compensation for damages for loss of earning capacity if your injury prevents you from working again or restricts your ability to do so in the future.

Damages for loss of earning capacity are calculated using either the income you are currently making or the amount you would have been making had you not been injured. The amount of your loss will be determined by the Indiana Department of Insurance.

Property Damage

If you were in an accident that caused physical damage to your vehicle or someone else’s, you might be eligible for compensation to pay for the repairs. This can be in the form of a fixed amount or a percentage of the repair cost.

Property damage compensation excludes any auto debts you may currently have. For instance, if your car has decreased in value since you bought it and is now only worth $6,000, but you still owe $8,000 in loans, you will only get $6,000 back.

Contact a Lawyer for Support

A car accident lawyer can help you claim the compensation you need to put your life back on track. They will guide you through each stage of the claim process and ensure that all documents are filed on time. Knowing that a lawyer is fighting for your best interests, you can focus on your recovery.

Mark Scott

With a law degree under his belt, Mark Scott understood very early that law communication was a relatively neglected area. He decided to help people by “translating” the language and offering information and advice in a clear, useful, and actionable manner. For this reason, instead of finding him in court, you will most likely find his name online, where he is very active and thriving as a legal columnist. His part of making the world a better place is to make the law a less convoluted maze. He aims to make it easier for people to understand when and how to seek legal counsel, how to proceed in a significant number of legal matters, and to find the proper resources so they can stand up for their rights.