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How much can someone sue for a car accident?
When it comes to suing for a car accident, there is no specific limit on the amount that someone can claim in Texas. How much someone can sue for a car accident depends on the individual case, including factors such as the extent of injuries sustained and property damage incurred.
What Types of Damages Affect How Much Someone Can Sue for a Car Accident?
In Texas, there are two main types of damages that can be recovered in a car accident case: economic damages and non-economic damages.
- Economic damages: These damages are meant to compensate the plaintiff for the financial losses they have incurred as a result of the car accident. Economic damages can include:
- Medical expenses, including hospital bills, doctor’s fees, and rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages or income if the plaintiff had to miss work or was unable to work due to injuries sustained in the accident
- Property damage to the plaintiff’s car or other personal property
- Non-economic damages: These damages are meant to compensate the plaintiff for losses that are not directly tied to financial losses. Non-economic damages can include:
- Pain and suffering, which can include physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life, which can include the inability to participate in activities the plaintiff once enjoyed
- Disfigurement or scarring, which can include permanent physical damage or changes in appearance caused by the accident
In some cases, punitive damages can affect how much someone can sue for a car accident in Texas. Punitive damages are meant to punish the defendant for particularly egregious conduct and are separate from economic and non-economic damages. The amount of damages that can be recovered in a car accident case will depend on the specific facts of the case, including the extent of the damages and injuries suffered by the plaintiff. An experienced personal injury attorney can provide guidance on potential damages that may be recoverable in a particular case.
