After a car accident, there are several types of compensation recognized universally by the law. Let’s go over these in detail.

* Car repairs or car replacement

If your car was damaged in the accident, you have the right to receive the cost of the car’s repair or the money to buy a comparable vehicle if yours was totaled.

* Transportation costs when you were without a car

If your car was inoperable for several weeks, whether this time was used to make car repairs or because you couldn’t get it fixed until you raised the funds to pay for the repairs, you have the right to seek compensation for alternative travel arrangements. Did you have to take the bus or a taxi to get to work instead of driving your own vehicle? Did you lease a car while yours was in the shop? You can demand repayment of these expenses from the person who damaged your car. If you’ve been in a car accident, save every bus pass or train pass to include in your reimbursement claim.

* Medical bills

Were you injured in the car accident? The medical bills incurred in an initial evaluation after the accident are compensable. The guilty party is also liable for any medical bills for treating your injuries. If you broke your arm or leg, the defendant is liable for the initial orthopedist visit to set the bone and when removing the cast. If someone was severely injured, the guilty party is liable for physical therapy and medication as required to recover from the injury.

* Missed work and lost wages

If you miss work while receiving treatment or recovering from your injuries, you can seek reimbursement for the income not earned during this time. You may or may not be able to seek compensation for lost wages if you received short term disability insurance payments or used vacation time while off work. Toronto personal injury lawyers will be able to determine the lost wages that can be claimed in your case.

* Disability, either short term or long term

Compensation for disability is a gray area. If you lost your legs in the crash, the degree of disability and compensation owed is rather straightforward and defined in case law. For disabilities such as partial spinal damage, recurring headaches, emotional trauma, post traumatic stress disorder, whiplash or nerve damage, the degree of disability and owed compensation will likely be evaluated by a judge.

What happens if you were left disabled or require long term recuperation? Before a judgment or settlement is reached, the judge or attorneys will ask these questions determine the level of compensation.

* How long was the person harmed? Have they recovered, or is the damage for life?

* Does the injury leave someone partially or totally disabled?

* Can the injured person work again? Will they be able to work in a different position after rehabilitation?

* If the person is permanently disabled, how much care will they require and for how long? What is a reasonable level of care, and how much will it cost over the expected duration of care?

* Does any of the blame lie with the injured party or with any other liable parties? For example, did the defendant get too much to drink at a bar that shouldn’t have given them so much? Is the defendant a teenager who crashed into someone else, do the supervising adults or parents who should have been home bear some blame?

Speak with Toronto injury lawyers to guide you through this process and protect your rights. And as a warning, do not accept offered payment from the responsible party or their insurer as settlement without recourse without consulting with a personal injury attorney first.