Recoverable Damages After a Chicago Car Accident
When a harmful car accident takes place in Chicago, those involved have the right to seek damages, or financial compensation, from the at-fault party to pay for their losses. This is how Illinois’s fault-based insurance system operates. Knowing what damages are generally recoverable can help you seek a fair payout if you find yourself in this situation.
Medical Bills
The most common form of car accident compensation is payment for medical bills. This can include a victim’s past and future necessary surgeries, time spent in a hospital, travel to and from doctor’s appointments, ongoing or live-in care, treatments, medications, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and medical devices.
In Illinois, all vehicle owners are required to purchase $25,000 for injury or death of one person and $50,000 for injury or death of more than one person in liability insurance. This type of automobile insurance can be used to pay for a victim’s medical costs in the aftermath of a crash. The victim may also have medical payment (MedPay) insurance on his or her own policy.
Property Damage
The cost to repair property that was damaged or destroyed in the car accident can also be reimbursed as part of a claim. This includes motor vehicle damage as well as damaged personal property that was inside the car at the time.
If the car is deemed a “total loss,” meaning it will cost more to repair than the vehicle is worth, the owner can receive an amount equal to the total pre-crash value of the car. The required minimum in property damage insurance coverage in Illinois is $20,000 per accident.
Lost Wages
Crash victims may also be eligible for compensation for various out-of-pocket costs, including lost wages. This refers to lost income and employment opportunities while the victim is recovering from his or her injuries. It can also cover lost future capacity to earn in the event that the victim suffers a long-term injury or permanent disability that interferes with his or her job.
Pain and Suffering
The types of compensation listed above are all classified as “economic damages,” or financial losses caused by a motor vehicle crash. In Chicago, noneconomic damages are also available, commonly referred to as “pain and suffering.”
They can include:
- Physical pain or chronic pain
- Disfigurement or disability
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Psychological trauma
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Chronic anxiety
- Depression or other mental health disorders
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of independence
While economic damages are calculated by adding up the monetary costs associated with a car accident, noneconomic damages are assigned based on the severity of the victim’s injuries and their impact.
Funeral Costs
If a Chicago car accident is fatal, the deceased person’s surviving loved ones may be eligible for wrongful death damages. These can repay the family for money spent on funeral and burial arrangements, as well as provide compensation to make up for lost income and inheritance, grief and mourning, and loss of the deceased victim’s company and love (loss of consortium).
If you wish to determine how much your Chicago car accident claim could be worth, consult with an attorney at Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC. Our local car accident attorneys offer free initial case consultations.