After a car accident in Davie, many people want to know what kinds of damages they can recover. The answer depends on how the crash affected not only your health and income, but also your day-to-day life. A car accident can lead to unexpected costs, and knowing what compensation might be available can help you prepare for what comes next. Call our Davie car accident lawyers today for a free consultation!
Medical Bills, Lost Wages, and Other Tangible Losses After a Crash
A car accident can leave you with so much more than a sore neck or a damaged vehicle. You might be juggling medical appointments, paperwork, and bills that never seem to stop coming. These kinds of costs can sneak up on you fast, especially if your injuries take significant time to heal.
Immediate and Long-Term Medical Costs
You might walk away from the crash, but that does not always mean you are in the clear. Between urgent care visits, physical therapy, prescriptions, and follow-ups, medical care can stretch out for weeks or even months. Florida’s personal injury protection rules under Florida Statutes § 627.736 may help with some of those costs, but the coverage often runs out before the care does.
Lost Income and Job Disruption During Recovery
Time away from work is one of the hardest parts to deal with after a crash. Even if you have sick days or short-term help, missing paychecks can throw off your whole routine. It also puts pressure on you to get back to work before your body is ready, which only makes things harder in the long run.
Common Non-Economic Damages You Can Include in a Florida Car Accident Claim
Not every injury shows up on an X-ray. A car accident can leave you feeling shaken, anxious, or like something inside you has changed that is hard to explain. These emotional and personal losses are often included in personal injury claims, even though they do not come with a receipt. Here are a few non-economic damages you may be able to include in your claim:
- Pain that affects your ability to rest, move, or complete everyday tasks
- Stress or anxiety that makes it harder to focus or feel like yourself
- Loss of enjoyment in hobbies, family time, or other parts of your routine
- Flashbacks, nightmares, or other signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Scarring or changes to your appearance that affect your self-esteem
- Ongoing sadness or depression linked to the trauma of the crash
Florida courts may consider these and more factors under Florida Statutes § 766.118, which outlines how non-economic damages are defined and limited in certain personal injury claims.
When Punitive Damages May Be Available After a Car Accident in Florida
Most damages in a car accident claim are meant to help you recover. Punitive damages are different because they are meant to punish the driver who caused the crash. These are usually only awarded in extreme cases where the other person acted in a way that went far beyond careless.
What Makes a Case Eligible for Punitive Damages
Florida courts will only consider punitive damages when there is proof of intentional misconduct or gross negligence. That means the person did something they knew was dangerous or acted in a way that showed no concern for the safety of others. According to Florida Statutes § 768.72, you must show clear evidence that the driver’s actions were more than a simple mistake.
Examples of Dangerous Behavior That Might Justify Punitive Awards
Not every crash will qualify, but some behavior crosses a line. Driving under the influence, racing through neighborhoods, or hitting someone and leaving the scene are all actions that may lead to punitive damages. For example, a driver causing an Uber accident while speeding through red lights after drinking could support a claim like this, depending on the facts of the case.