- January 26, 2024
- Vehicle Accidents
A Guide to Calculating Auto Crash Settlements in Texas
No one hopes to suffer because of someone else’s wrongful actions. Sadly, this is the inevitable effect of a typical car crash in Texas. Even when you’re as careful as you can be, you can get hurt just because another motorist wasn’t paying attention to the road. Not only are the effects of such recklessness traumatic, but they’re expensive, too.
For example, depending on the severity of the accident, Texas auto collisions can leave you with huge medical bills. If you sustained debilitating injuries in the crash, you may not be able to earn a living for a long time. This is not to mention the huge out-of-pocket expenses you may need to pay to replace damaged property in the crash.
Fortunately, you don’t have to bear these costs as Texas’s laws allow you to seek compensation from the at-fault party. However, it’s not enough to know that you deserve compensation for your losses. You should also understand the full extent of your recoverable damages and learn to calculate a Texas vehicle accident settlement. This will prevent you from settling for less than your case deserves.
If you’re confused about how to accurately calculate your estimated payout, a car accident lawyer from Crain Brogdon, LLP, can help. You’ll find the essential information you need to determine the worth of your car accident claim as you read on.
What Types of Damages Should I Expect in a Texas Auto Crash Case?
Understanding The Full Extent of Recoverable Compensation in Your Case Ensures That You Don’t Overlook Anything
Generally, the possible damages you may receive in a Texas car accident claim are economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. Let’s discuss them below:
Economic Damages
Also called special damages, economic damages describe the financial or monetary losses you’ve suffered as a result of the accident. In other words, they cover the out-of-pocket expenses that you wouldn’t have incurred if you weren’t involved in the crash. For instance, your car may have been severely dented in the accident. Any amount you pay to repair the damage will be classified under economic damages.
Other examples of special damages include:
- Medical costs
- Household services
- Travel costs
- Physical therapy.
Note that economic damages also include your lost earnings as a result of your inability to work due to your injuries.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic or general damages are the opposite of special damages as they compensate you for your intangible losses. In other words, they cover all your losses that don’t have a price tag. For example, a severe injury may leave you with permanent, visible scars that cause you physical, mental, and emotional hurt. You should be able to receive compensation for such pain and suffering.
General damages also include:
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
Punitive Damages
Punitive or exemplary damages are civil fines awarded against the defendants for their extreme irresponsibility or wanton disregard for your safety. They also serve as warnings to others who may think about being grossly negligent in the future.
How To Calculate Your Economic Damages After a Car Crash in Texas
Your Economic Damages Are the Sum of The Out-Of-Pocket Expenses in Your Case
Typically, economic damages are easy to calculate since they have a price tag attached. All you have to do is make sure you’re getting reimbursements for all the financial losses you have suffered.
For example, assume that you spent $1,000 on your medical bills, $2,000 repairing your vehicle, and lost $1,000 in wages. If these are all the monetary losses you incurred, your total economic damages will be $4,000.
Finding The Worth of Intangible and Punitive Damages
Various Factors Influence General and Punitive Damages in Texas
Non-economic damages may not be as simple to calculate as economic damages, but they’re just as important. To put a price on general damages, you’ll have to consider the severity of the injury and its impact on your life.
For example, a more painful injury or one that affects your life to a greater extent may receive more compensation. Losing an arm may be a serious injury for anyone, but for a professional athlete, it can be career-ending. That’s a traumatic loss that can be difficult to recover from. So, a professional athlete may receive more settlement from the arm injury than you.
Note that punitive damages are discretionary. As such, it largely depends on what the court thinks is fair, considering the nature of the wrong and other factors. However, it’s capped at $200,000 or twice the economic damages awarded plus the equivalent of the non-economic damages up to $750,000.
Get Help Calculating Your Car Accident Settlement
Our Attorneys Can Fight for Maximum Compensation on Your Behalf
When you’ve been hurt in an accident in Texas, getting the full settlement you deserve is vital to your recovery. Your payout will be used to cover the expenses and the losses you’ve suffered so you can focus on your health.
Unfortunately, calculating a Texas vehicle accident settlement is often easier said than done. You’ll need to carefully and accurately estimate your losses to ensure you’re getting the full amount you deserve.
The good news, though, is that you don’t have to do this alone. Our Texas vehicle accident attorney from Crain Brogdon, LLP, can help.
If you’re struggling with a Texas car wreck claim, get the assistance you need by dialing us at 214-522-9404 immediately. Starting with a free consultation, we’ll evaluate your case’s worth and help you seek the settlement you deserve.
Attorney Quentin Brogdon
Quentin Brogdon has over thirty years of experience and expertise in the field of personal injury trial law. He is board certified in both personal injury trial law and civil trial advocacy. Quentin has received an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible rating. This rating reflects an attorney’s ethics and abilities according to reviews from fellow attorneys. [ Attorney Bio ]
