How do non-economic damages affect my compensation after a rideshare accident?
Motor Vehicles Accidents - June 6, 2023
Rideshare apps like Lyft and Uber have made life easier for many Chicagoans. These platforms open up jobs in the gig economy and make for convenient commuting and transportation. But ridesharing does not eliminate all of the problems associated with traffic—accidents still happen.
If you are a passenger involved in a rideshare crash, you may ask yourself, what happens next? Am I going to be fully compensated for my damages? Keep reading to learn about economic and non-economic damages in a car accident, then call our skilled Chicago car accident lawyer for assistance getting the compensation you deserve.
Economic and non-economic damages in a car accident
When an Uber or Lyft passenger is injured during an accident, or if a rideshare driver crashes into your vehicle, the event can ripple in multiple directions. The injuries have a physical component, but they can also result in substantial financial hardships and long-term emotional pain and suffering.
The types of damages a rideshare accident victim can seek and receive compensation for are sorted into three distinct categories. These include:
- Economic Damages – Compensation for tangible financial losses
- Non-economic Damages – Compensation for physical and emotional trauma
- Punitive Damages – Compensation typically awarded to punish the at-fault driver because of harmful, negligent, or irresponsible behavior
Economic damages
Economic damages associated with rideshare accident injuries may include the following.
Past and present medical expenses
- Ambulance rides
- Emergency room visits
- Hospital stays
- Diagnostic tests
- Treatments
- Procedures and surgeries
- Medications
- Follow-up treatments
Follow-up therapies
- Physical rehabilitation
- Psychological therapy
- Occupational therapy
Work-related losses
- Lost wages from missed work while recovering from injuries
- Loss of future earnings after being unable to return to work
Property damage and lifestyle modifications
- Repairing or replacing a vehicle due to the crash
- Adding home accommodations due to injuries, including:
- Accessible bathrooms or kitchens
- Grab-bars
- Handrails
- Ramps
- Roll-in showers
- Necessary medical equipment, like:
- Hospital beds
- Prosthetics
- Wheelchairs
Non-economic damages
Calculating monetary values for non-economic damages is not as simple as economic damages. It is hard to put a dollar figure on non-economic damages. Some of the most common non-economic damages may include:
- Emotional distress can complicate day-to-day lives
- Loss of enjoyment of life or having trouble participating in activities that once brought joy or happiness
- Loss of consortium or damage done to familial relationships due to injuries. This may be the loss of:
- A caretaker
- Family security
- Companionship
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disabilities can affect all aspects of a person’s life
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can affect accident victims and have lingering symptoms, requiring years of therapy
- Scarring or disfigurement can cause emotional turmoil and shame and it may take corrective or cosmetic procedures and surgeries to correct
How to protect your economic and non-economic damages after a car accident
In the aftermath of a rideshare accident, it can be chaotic and overwhelming, not to mention painful as you recover from injuries. A few steps can be taken to help future efforts to recover compensation.
- Report the crash to the police to have an accident report
- Exchange relevant information about the involved drivers. Withhold details about the crash
- Document the scene. Take pictures of the crash site, injuries, and property damage. Screenshot details from the rideshare app
- Seek medical attention, even if injuries are not apparent. Prompt treatment and medical records are important for a claim
- Speak to witnesses and get contact information for future testimony
Contact a Chicago rideshare accident lawyer
If you were injured in a rideshare accident, speak with the Chicago rideshare accident attorneys at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates before speaking to insurance companies. We can navigate the complicated legal process to secure the compensation you deserve. Call us at (800) 985-1819 or contact us to schedule a free consultation.
