Compensation Options for Car Accident Victims

Quality Phoenix car accident lawyers know that it’s important to strategize around compensation. Knowing what damages to seek compensation for and how to frame responsibility are invaluable skills to have on your side after an accident.

Compensation options for car accident victims can include the insurance of the victim, the insurance of the at-fault driver, and third-party claims.

Compensation Options After a Car Accident

Kinds of Compensation

One reason it’s important to have an experienced lawyer after you’ve been in an accident is they know every possible place to look for damages. There are two primary categories for damages:

Economic Damages

These include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages from time off work for recovery or appointments now and in the future
• Reduced future earning potential

Compensation for these damages is often easier to secure because there are receipts and thorough documentation.

Non-Economic Damages

These include:

• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment in daily life
• Long-term recovery or care

Sometimes called ‘general damages,’ these damages are much more difficult to measure. Furthermore, they are often only awarded with additional proof, such as the testimony of experts.

Each of these categories comes with its own complex calculation that must be conducted and defended. For example, how pain and suffering is evaluated can be confusing, especially because it has to be considered in both the present and the future.

Finding Fault

In most accidents, the first source of compensation is the at-fault driver’s liability insurance. This coverage pays for damages caused by the actions of that driver.

Arizona is a comparative fault state. This means that each person involved in an accident can share a portion of the responsibility. The burden of responsibility is debated by lawyers and insurance companies, and once it’s determined, the compensation each person is responsible for reflects their percentage of responsibility.

If you’re the victim of a hit-and-run or an accident with an uninsured driver, you might be able to seek compensation from your own insurance provider, depending on your coverage.

Third-Party Claims

Third-party claims look beyond the responsibility of the drivers involved in an accident. While these claims are rarer, they can be worth asking your attorney about. 

Vehicle defects have caused accidents in the past, and dangerous driving environments caused by someone outside the two drivers exist. A skilled lawyer will know where to look for these sorts of claims and will be able to determine if they are worth pursuing in your case.

Exploring Every Option

The aftermath of a car accident is overwhelming. It makes demands of victims that have likely never been made of them before. In order to make sure you aren’t trying to navigate the complexities of compensation and constantly looking for explanations of common car accident legal terms, reach out to Gage Mathers.

About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 24 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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