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Restoring Dignity & Control After An Injury 

Car Accident Injuries: A Passengers Rights

On Behalf of | Sep 14, 2012 | Chicago, Safety |

Each year in the United States there are approximately 5 million police-reported motor vehicle accidents. At this high rate, odds are good you will personally be involved in a car accident at some point in your lifetime. Many of us, thankfully, never experience more than mild fender benders or parking lot scrapes. However, around half of these reported accidents involve some sort of injury. In other words, over two million people a year are injured in the U.S. as a result of a motor vehicle crash. If you are a driver, you likely understand your rights regarding insurance and coverage. But what about passengers? A passenger rarely has any culpability when a crash occurs, putting them in the unique position of being a victim regardless of whether the car they were in or another’s caused the accident. If you are injured in a crash, therefore, it’s helpful to know what compensation you may be eligible to pursue for your injury and damages.

One type of compensation is known as Special Damages. When you have been injured in an accident, you often face several expenses. Medical bills, current and future, can add up very quickly even if you have medical insurance. You may have to be out of work for days, months, or even permanently due to treatment of your injuries or as a result of your injury preventing you from working. These are just a few examples of the financial burden a car accident victim may face. However, often you may pursue compensation for current and future expenses related to your injury. These claims are known as Special Damages claims, and in this case are made on behalf of an accident victim to recover or prevent personal financial loss or cost.

Another type of compensation is General Damages. When you have been injured in an accident, the physical pain and emotional suffering can be great. Both the injury and the experience often take a toll on your life, your relationships, your job and your overall mental health. Particularly for those who have received radical injuries, their life and abilities are often so profoundly altered that it causes trauma, grief and depression. Even those with more moderate injuries suffer from limitations and post-traumatic stress that reduces their former quality of life. As a result, victims often choose to pursue compensation for General Damages. In this case, General Damages are awards intended to compensate a victim for pain and suffering as a result of their injury.

It’s also important for such victims to understand that pursuing compensation for your injuries is often very complicated, particularly where insurance companies are involved. Often victims are persuaded or bullied into dropping claims or accepting settlements far below what they are due. Never file a claim against a person or their insurance without proper legal representation. An experienced personal injury attorney will make certain that you receive fair compensation for your injuries. If you have been injured in an accident, contact a Chicago personal injury lawyer for assistance.

About the Author: Brooke Haley is a Marketing Associate at Millon & Peskin, Chicago workers compensation lawyers that practice in the areas of Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury. Millon & Peskin is a General Civil Litigation Practice with the goal of representing the interests of injured workers, throughout all applicable Courts in the State of Illinois. For more information about Illinois workers compensation attorney,please visit www.millonpeskin.com.

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