The cost of a car crash is often the biggest concern people have after being involved in a collision. While addressing immediate physical injuries may be the first priority, covering their costs is a close second. Someone involved in a crash who knows they are not at fault for the collision may expect the other driver to provide them with compensation.
However, they may not be certain of what they have the right to request. The unusual insurance rules in Florida may serve to muddy the waters and leave people unsure of their rights. What types of compensation are typically available to those negatively impacted by a Florida wreck?
Economic damages
If someone relies solely on car insurance to pay for crash costs, typically they only receive compensation for economic damages. Economic damages are also a main contributing element to any personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Economic damages include any provable financial losses caused by the collision. Medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning potential and property damage losses are all forms of economic damages. While there is an expectation that people should use their no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, the driver at fault may be responsible for any amount not covered by the other motorist’s policy.
Non-economic damages
There are forms of harm that are not purely financial. For example, someone coping with chronic pain caused by a crash may experience mental health issues. Their relationships may suffer because of the injuries they incurred and their experience during the crash. In scenarios where people lose loved ones, non-economic damages might include the loss of companionship and support that they otherwise should have received from their deceased loved one.
Punitive damages
Punitive damages don’t technically connect to the suffering or economic harm of the other party. Instead, punitive damages are a form of punishment. The courts only award such damages in cases involving intentional misconduct or gross negligence. They are relatively rare, as they require a higher degree of proof than other damages thought in a car crash lawsuit. Additionally, the state imposes a cap on punitive damages. In most cases, the most that someone can receive is either $500,000 or three times the economic damages awarded by the court.
Particularly in cases where a car crash has long-term consequences for the people involved, a lawsuit might be the only way to truly address the harm caused. Learning more about the compensation available after a collision can help people pursue economic justice following a wreck caused by another party.