Can I Sue if I Wasn’t Injured in a Car Accident?

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Car accidents can have so many different types of effects on the parties involved. Things tend to be a bit more straightforward if at least one party was injured –most people realize that when a bone is broken or muscle is sprained, that they can visit a medical professional, collect documentation, and build the case from there. However, when no injuries result from a collision, the process of pursuing compensation becomes shrouded in confusion. You must realize that, even if you were not injured in a car accident, you are still entitled to receive compensation for the incident. Here’s some crucial information on when and why you would sue the negligent party after an accident, even without injuries.

Property Damage Claim vs. Personal Injury Claim

First, realize that both personal injury and property damageclaimscan apply to a singular event. You can experience a collision in which your personal property and vehicle are damaged, and you were hurt physically. You would not have to choose between which of the two is compensated, rather, you are eligible to receive a sum for both. Personal injury claims also incorporate several different factors that differ from a typical property claim, the most notable element being medical bills.

Medical bills serve as a document of proof, outlining either straightforward injuries such as whiplash or broken bones, or including highly subjective components such as a lowered quality of life, psychological consequences, or pain and suffering. When symptoms do not manifest right away, you can typically take your time to open up a case if the injuries were much higher in priority. (This is important to remember, as it may seem that you have not been injured immediately after a collision, but in reality, your symptoms may just take a longer period to manifest.) With the added time, you can then closely monitor yours or a loved ones’ health by regular trips to the doctor. If you have not incurred an injury, however, you may still be eligible for compensation via a property damage claim.

Property damage includes damage that is inflicted on the items in your possession. These claims tend to be a lot more straightforward, as they are limited by the true calculated value of your vehicle, the broken components and property inside, and the potential cost of repairs. These cases are resolved much more easily, as they do not rely on the speculation of the cost of someone’s psychological health. However, this is not foolproof, as you will almost always be expected to provide documentation of such damage.

Pursuing Compensation with No Damages

No matter what, if there were damages incurred by a collision, you must take action to get those damages (physical or afflicting only your vehicle or additional property) compensated. After all, you do not have to get a broken leg to determine that you deserve reimbursement for damages you were not responsible for. To get the necessary funds for your recovery or repair, seek the counsel of an experienced car accident attorney. They will walk you through the process of filing a claim, whether you have experienced an injury or not, and ensure that you are not held responsible for covering the necessary expenses as the victim of a collision.