Understanding Economic Damages in a Provo, UT Car Accident
When you’re involved in a car accident in Provo, UT, the financial repercussions can be overwhelming. Economic damages play a crucial role in helping you recover financially, covering specific, measurable losses that arise from the collision. Whether it’s paying medical bills or compensating for lost income, understanding these damages ensures you don’t leave money on the table.
Types of Damages in Utah Car Accident Cases
In Utah car accident cases, damages are generally split into two categories:
- Property Damage: Covers repairs or replacement of your vehicle or other property.
- Bodily Injury Damages: Focuses on injuries sustained in the accident.
Bodily injury damages can be further divided into:
- Economic Damages: Quantifiable financial losses.
- Non-Economic Damages: Intangible losses like pain and suffering.
What Are Economic Damages?
Economic damages refer to losses that are easily calculable and directly tied to financial harm caused by the accident. These damages differ from non-economic damages, which address emotional and subjective losses. Courts and insurance adjusters rely on clear evidence such as bills, receipts, and expert testimonies to determine economic damages.
Common Types of Economic Damages in Provo Car Accidents
Economic damages often include the following:
- Past Medical Bills
- Future Medical Bills
- Past Lost Wages
- Future Lost Wages
- Future Lost Earning Capacity
Let’s examine each category in detail.
Past Medical Bills
After a car accident, past medical bills include costs for immediate and follow-up treatments. Examples include:
- Emergency room visits (e.g., Utah Valley Hospital ER)
- Ambulance services (e.g., Gold Cross Ambulance)
- Family practice doctor consultations
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
Rule for Recovering Past Medical Bills:
The bills must be reasonable and necessary. Proving this typically involves testimony from:
- An expert medical witness
- A clinic’s billing specialist
- A medical provider
Future Medical Bills
Severe injuries often require ongoing care, such as surgeries, therapies, or specialized treatments. Future medical bills are recoverable but require specific proof.
Rule for Future Medical Bills:
- A medical provider must outline the need for future treatment.
- An economist may calculate the present-day value of these bills to account for inflation.
For example, an MRI costing $1,500 today could rise to $2,900 in two decades.
Past Lost Wages
If you miss work due to injuries, doctor visits, or hospital stays, those lost earnings are recoverable.
Examples include:
- Missing work for physical therapy sessions
- Hospital stays leading to lost income
Rule for Proving Lost Wages:
You can testify to your wages, whether you earn:
- Hourly pay
- Salary
- Commissions
Future Lost Wages
Future lost wages anticipate income you’ll miss due to ongoing medical treatments or future recovery time. While smaller than other economic damages, these losses add up over time.
Future Lost Earning Capacity
One of the most significant components of economic damages is future lost earning capacity, which addresses the long-term impact on your ability to earn.
Example: The Provo Surgeon Case
Imagine a hand surgeon earning $600,000 annually loses the ability to operate and now works as a psychiatrist earning $250,000. The difference over his working life can total millions.
How Is This Proved?
- A vocational rehabilitation expert assesses:
- Previous job duties and earnings
- Current limitations and income potential
- An economist calculates the present-day value of lost income streams.
Why Hiring a Provo Car Accident Lawyer is Essential
Navigating economic damages
requires expertise in law, economics, and medicine. Experienced Provo car accident attorneys like Jake Gunter
ensure all recoverable damages are documented, calculated, and presented effec
tively in court.
Call/Text Provo Car Accident Lawyer Jake Gunter for Help
If you’ve been injured in a Provo car accident, don’t delay. Let Jake Gunter’s 20 years of experience work for you. Call or text (801) 373-6345 today for a FREE consultation.