What Kind of Property Damages Can Be Recovered After a Car Accident?
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Texas, it’s natural to wonder about the types of property damages you can seek compensation for. Your car accident lawyer in San Antonio can help you prove your losses and recover damages, so you’re not coming out at a loss.
What Kind of Property Damages Can a Car Accident Lawyer in San Antonio Help You Recover?
Vehicle Damage
One of the most obvious forms of property damage after a car accident is the harm done to the vehicles involved. Accidents can lead to a range of vehicular damage, from small dents to broken windows, damaged tires, and in severe cases, a total loss, where the cost of repair exceeds the vehicle’s current market value.
If another party is found at fault for the accident, you can claim compensation for the repairs needed or the current market value of your vehicle if it’s deemed a total loss.
Loss of Use
When your vehicle is damaged and in for repair, you’ll likely need another mode of transportation. The cost of renting a car or relying on other transportation methods during this time is termed “loss of use.” In Texas, if another driver is responsible for the accident, you may be entitled to recover costs associated with loss of use.
Personal Property Damage
Often, a car accident doesn’t just harm vehicles. Personal belongings inside the car, such as laptops, cell phones, or eyeglasses, may also get damaged. The law allows individuals to recover the value of personal items destroyed or damaged in the accident.
Diminished Value Claims
After a vehicle has been involved in an accident and repaired, it might not have the same market value as it did before the collision. This is because potential buyers often view vehicles with an accident history as less desirable, even if repairs were made. In Texas, you can file a diminished value claim to recover the difference between what your car was worth before the accident and its value after repairs.
Modification and Accommodation Costs
In instances where a vehicle requires specific modifications due to the driver’s or passenger’s injuries, the costs of these alterations can be recovered.
For example, if a person requires a wheelchair after the accident and their car needs modifications to accommodate it, these costs are compensable. Additionally, if you need to make changes to your home or other properties because of the accident-induced injuries, like installing ramps or widening doorways, these can be included in the claim.
Towing and Storage Fees
In the aftermath of an accident, vehicles often need to be towed to a repair shop or a storage facility. These towing and storage fees can quickly add up, especially if there’s a delay in assessing damages or determining fault. You can usually recover these costs if you were not at fault for the accident.
Replacement Parts and Labor Costs
In the process of repairing your vehicle after an accident, there might be a need for specific replacement parts. These could range from significant components, like a transmission or a bumper, to smaller but essential pieces like mirrors or lights.
Apart from the costs of the parts, labor fees for installing them can also be significant. Your lawyer can help you claim for both parts and labor costs. Find out more here about a Texas lawyer who can help you get fully compensated.
Future Repair Costs
In some cases, certain damages to your vehicle might not be immediately apparent or might not need instant repairs. For instance, there could be a minor leak that wasn’t included in the initial repairs because it hadn’t revealed itself until later. If such damages can be directly attributed to the accident, you may be able to add the anticipated cost of repairs to your claim.
Loss of Business Use
If you use your vehicle for business purposes, like deliveries or as a rideshare driver, an accident can mean a loss of income. The downtime during which the vehicle is unavailable affects your earning capacity. Such losses, if you’re able to prove them, can be claimed. You’ll need to be able to prove clearly exactly how much money you would typically have made had the vehicle been available to you.
Insurance Deductible Reimbursement
When you make a claim with your insurance company, you’ll often pay a deductible upfront, which is the amount you’re responsible for before insurance coverage kicks in. If another driver is at fault for the accident, you can claim the reimbursement of this deductible from the at-fault party or their insurance.
Car accidents can cause a cascade of financial implications, and the law provides ways for you to seek compensation for property damages. If you find yourself grappling with such losses, stay informed about your rights and seek legal help right away to make sure you are compensated fairly.
