You’ve been in a car accident. Your vehicle may be wrecked. You may be injured, missing work, or dealing with pain that wasn’t there yesterday. As the dust settles, one big question comes to mind: What compensation can I claim after a car accident?
If you’re in San Francisco or anywhere in the Bay Area, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to navigate this alone either. In this article, we’ll break down the different types of damages you may be entitled to after a car crash, and how working with an experienced legal team like The Hassell Law Group can help you maximize your financial recovery.
What Are “Damages” in a Car Accident Case?
In a legal context, damages refer to the financial compensation an injured party can recover after a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence. The goal is to restore you—financially, physically, and emotionally—to the position you were in before the accident.
While some damages are easy to calculate, like medical bills or car repairs, others—like pain and emotional suffering—can be far more complex. That’s why understanding the different categories of damages is crucial to understanding what you’re owed.
Economic Damages (Also Called “Special Damages”)
Economic damages cover your measurable, out-of-pocket losses. These are usually supported by documentation like receipts, invoices, pay stubs, and medical bills.
Here are the most common economic damages:
- Medical Expenses
You can claim compensation for:
- Emergency room visits
- Ambulance fees
- Hospital stays
- Surgeries
- Doctor visits
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy
- Chiropractic treatment
- Follow-up care
- Medical devices (e.g., braces, crutches)
- Future medical care if your injuries will require ongoing or future treatment
Even if you have health insurance, you can still claim the cost of medical care. If you’ll need ongoing care, your attorney can help estimate and document future medical expenses with the help of your doctors or medical experts.
- Lost Wages
If your injuries keep you from working, you can seek compensation for:
- Missed paychecks
- Lost bonuses or commissions
- Sick, PTO, or vacation days used due to the accident
Be sure to keep detailed records from your employer and obtain a work leave authorization slip from your doctor to support your lost pay claim.
- Loss of Earning Capacity
If your injuries are serious enough to impact your long-term ability to work, you may also be entitled to damages for loss of earning potential. This applies if you can’t return to your previous job, have to reduce your hours, or need to change careers entirely due to your injuries.
- Property Damage
This typically includes:
- Damage to your car
- Damage to any personal items inside (electronics, car seats, etc.)
- Diminished value of your vehicle, even after repairs
Keep repair estimates, photos, and receipts showing the original cost of damaged items.
- Other Out-of-Pocket Expenses
These may include:
- Towing and rental car fees
- Transportation costs to medical appointments
- Home modifications (like installing a ramp or shower handles)
- Childcare expenses if you’re unable to care for your children during recovery
- Medical Co-pays
Other things you had to pay out of pocket because of the accident may be recoverable.
Non-Economic Damages (Also Called “General Damages”)
These are the losses that don’t come with a receipt—but are just as real.
- Pain and Suffering
This covers the physical pain and discomfort caused by your injuries, both now and in the future. Courts recognize that pain has a real impact on your life, and you deserve to be compensated for it.
- Emotional Distress
Car accidents cause immediate distress and can lead to anxiety, depression, insomnia, PTSD, and other psychological effects. If you’re suffering emotionally, document your symptoms and consider speaking to a mental health professional.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life
If you can no longer participate in hobbies, sports, travel, or other activities you once enjoyed, this type of damage may apply. It reflects the impact your injuries have on your quality of life.
- Loss of Consortium
This applies when an injury affects your relationship with a spouse or domestic partner. It may include loss of companionship, intimacy, support and loss of household services.
Punitive Damages (Less Common, but Possible)
In rare cases, you may also be awarded punitive damages. These are designed not to compensate you, but to punish the at-fault driver for reckless, egregious or intentional misconduct.
Examples where punitive damages might apply include:
- Drunk driving
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Excessive speeding or reckless driving
- Texting while driving with complete disregard for safety
Punitive damages are not available in every case, but when they are, they can significantly increase the total amount of compensation.
How Are Damages Calculated?
Economic damages are usually straightforward—supported by bills, receipts, and financial records.
Non-economic damages, however, require a more nuanced approach. Insurance companies often use formulas or software to estimate these losses, but those numbers are rarely in your favor.
A strong claim is often backed by:
- Medical evaluations and expert opinions
- Testimony from you, your family, and even your employer
- Documentation of how your injuries affect your daily life
Important: Never rely on an insurance company to tell you what your case is worth. Their job is to settle claims quickly and cheaply—not fairly.
Why Working With a Lawyer Matters
Insurance companies are skilled at minimizing payouts. They may:
- Offer an immediate low settlement offer to resolve your claim
- Downplay your injuries
- Dispute liability
- Make unreasonably low settlement offers
- Pressure you to settle before you know the full extent of your injuries
At The Hassell Law Group, our car accident lawyers know how to combat unfair tactics and build strong, evidence-backed cases that reflect the real impact an accident has on your life. We negotiate aggressively on your behalf, and we don’t back down from litigation if that’s what it takes to get you fair compensation.
We’ve recovered substantial compensation for injury victims throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area, and we’re ready to help you, too.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Leave Money on the Table
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to far more than just a car repair or a quick check from the insurance company. You deserve compensation for the full extent of your losses—both financial and emotional. This compensation could be substantial.
Types of damages you can claim:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Future losses
- And more
Let our experienced legal team help you claim and recover what you deserve. We’ll explain your rights and fight for what you’re truly owed.
Contact The Hassell Law Group for a Free Consultation
Contact us online or call our office at (415) 334-4111. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and help you move forward with confidence.
The general information provided on this website should not be considered legal advice and does not constitute legal advice. For legal advice, you should consult directly with an attorney. If you contact us by telephone, email, letter, or contact form submission through this website, please note that such communication does not create or constitute an attorney-client relationship. We cannot act as your attorney until we are hired as your attorney by a formal written agreement.
How to File a California Car Accident Insurance Claim