What Are Other Pecuniary Losses In An Automobile Accident Case?
For those who have been injured in an automobile accident, the experience is typically traumatic, frustrating and emotional. While dealing with physical injuries, sometimes severe, life-threatening and life-altering injuries, the person must also cope with emotional and financial damages. Damages from an automobile accident include much more than the actual physical injuries suffered as the result of the actions of a negligent driver. Victims of automobile accidents are entitled to pecuniary losses as well as other damages to compensate them for expenses and damages they suffer.
Pecuniary Losses and Other Damages
Pecuniary losses are simply the financial losses experienced by the victim following a car accident. Non-pecuniary losses that the injured party and/or the party’s family may be entitled to receive include compensation for pain and suffering, loss of support, punitive damages and loss of consortium. In most cases, pecuniary losses are the largest portion of an automobile accident claim because pecuniary losses include medical expenses and lost wages, which are two of the largest damages in most cases.
The largest portion of the damages claim in most automobile accident cases is the medical expenses and lost wages. Medical expenses quickly add up in automobile accident cases, especially in cases involving severe injuries. Lost wages are another large component, again, especially in cases involving severe injuries. Another reason these expenses tend to be higher is that victims are entitled to receive past and future medical expenses and lost wages, which increases the amount claimed for these pecuniary losses.
In the case of death, the family of the decedent may claim pecuniary costs such as lost future earnings of the decedent. Other pecuniary losses in a wrongful death claim include funeral expenses such as the costs of the burial or cremation.
Non-pecuniary Losses
Because not all damages are financial damages that can be quantified, the law provides victims with the ability to claim non-pecuniary losses to compensate them for their non-financial damages. Non-pecuniary losses include pain and suffering, emotional distress and loss of consortium. In some cases, the injured party may be entitled to punitive damages. As experienced personal injury attorneys, we pursue all forms of damages to ensure that you receive fair and just settlement for your damages.
Contact an Experienced Kentucky Automobile Accident Attorney
We’ve Helped Thousands of KY Families, we can help you!
The personal injury attorneys of Musselwhite Meinhart & Staples, PSC have over 50 years of combined legal experience helping people just like you. We want to help you receive the compensation that you deserve for your injuries. We represent clients in Hardin County, Jefferson County and throughout central Kentucky from our offices in Radcliff and Elizabethtown and Louisville.
Contact us at (270) 351-6069 or 1-800-754-HELP to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys. You may also contact our office through our convenient online contact form. We look forward to meeting with you to discuss how we can help you hold the party responsible for your injuries liable for your damages.