According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 27,365 people died in traffic crashes in the first nine months of 2025. And speeding remains the top cause of fatal crashes, followed by driving under the influence, careless driving, failure to yield, and improper lane usage.
Victims of car accidents face consequences beyond vehicle repairs. In fact, their financial burden extends to paying medical bills, lost income, rehabilitation costs, and other unexpected expenses due to the accident.
When facing this type of incident, the formal legal process of assessing the case to recover compensation is more challenging than many could expect. In this case, you will need a trusted car accident lawyer to make sense of your recovery options, according to auto accident lawyers in Michigan
Let’s look at the different types of compensation you can claim after an auto accident.
What Can You Claim After an Auto Accident?
What can you claim in a car accident? Compensation can be claimed for most of the damages inflicted due to a car wreck. You can seek compensation on your own or through someone else, provided you have adequate insurance; acceptable claims include medical expenses, vehicle repair costs, and lost wages, which are generally covered by the insurance policy of the at-fault party.
People who experience emotional trauma that leads to their complete loss of life enjoyment will receive compensation. The essential documents to keep are all expenses and all correspondence records that relate to the event.
The evidence that you present will establish your current damages, and this evidence will support your case for a fair settlement. You should consult a legal professional because they can assist you with the claims process through their expertise in this area.
Medical Expenses: What You Can Claim
Car wreck compensation includes the hospital bills you have accumulated. These include ER visits, hospital costs, surgeries, and expenses for follow-up appointments or other types of therapy.
In addition to these, money spent on prescription medicines and other medical equipment is also included, like crutches or a wheelchair.
If you need extended care, costs related to future medical expenses can also be added. Ensure you hold tightly to your bills and medical records in this respect, to cover up for your claims.
Lost Wages: Calculating Your Compensation
If you have been injured in an auto accident, you may be entitled to damages due to the loss of your paid work. In essence, the weekly income must be considered to include the basic wages and those for overtime or bonuses earned on regular work.
Determine the number of days you appear to have missed up to specific points. To find the weekly income lost due to injury, multiply your daily income by the number of days you can’t work. For the self-employed, a suitable method to prove their wages is to submit income through tax returns and invoices, in case such evidence really becomes necessary.
Insurance firms may require papers to verify occupation and earnings; gather as much proof as possible to justify your claim on damages.
Understanding Pain and Suffering: What It Means for You
The financial consequences of your absence from work due to a car crash accident show multiple effects. The situation results in physical pain together with emotional distress and a complete transformation of your normal life activities.
The compensation for pain and suffering damages refers to these non-economic damages that result from your injuries. The long-term effects of your injury result in permanent damage to your daily activities, family connections and mental health.
You need to prove the existence of your condition through the entire legal process by using medical records and psychological records and counseling sessions and your personal statements, which demonstrate the actual extent of your pain.
Property Damage: Recovering Repair Costs
The property damage is another concern that needed consideration after a car crash. Damage to your vehicles is one primary issue. How are you going to recover the repair costs for these damages?
In this case, documenting the incident can help your case. Take pictures and collect statements from the witnesses at the scene.
File a claim with your insurance company. This could initiate the legal process of your case. This will process your claim so they can pay for the repairs to your car as per your policy. In that sense, keep an eye out for your deductibles and coverage limits.
You can file a claim against another person’s insurance because they are the responsible party. The invoices and estimates that you collected during your experience should be kept because they will serve as valid evidence for your compensation application.
Exploring Additional Compensation Options
The process of recovering repair costs requires legitimate methods yet needs to explore additional options for successful completion. Think about—are there any medical costs? You should file for payment of all your treatment expenses that you accumulated after visiting the emergency room.
A single accident causes medical expenses to rise at an alarming speed. You will receive compensation for any wages you lost because of your work inability. According to the law, people can receive compensation for pain and distress they suffered due to the accident. You can recover your medical expenses, covering even your future medical treatment.
The last item to evaluate requires you to assess the full extent of the other party’s misconduct, which led to the need for punitive damages. You can achieve maximum compensation through a lawyer’s assistance, as they open up all available options for you.