Recoverable Damages After a Bothell Car Accident

Recoverable damages after a Bothell car accident can have a big impact on your recovery. If you have been seriously injured in a car accident, you are likely dealing with substantial expenses like medical bills while you are unable to work. Recovering compensation from the responsible party can help you cover these expenses so you can focus on rest and recovery instead of financial stress. An experienced car accident attorney could help you maximize your recoverable damages and avoid mistakes that could hurt your case.

What Are Recoverable Damages in a Car Accident

Recoverable damages refer to the compensation an injured person may receive from the party responsible for the accident. If another driver’s negligence caused the crash, they are likely liable for damages. Ideally, this compensation covers all of the injured person’s expenses, but the actual amount recoverable depends on the at-fault driver’s insurance limits. Washington follows an at-fault insurance system, meaning the responsible driver’s policy covers the injured person’s damages after a car accident in Bothell. RCW 46.29.090 mandates that drivers carry a minimum of $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person and $50,000 per accident. While additional coverage is optional, medical expenses for severe injuries often exceed these limits. Since most drivers lack the personal financial resources to cover excess damages, the injured party may be unable to recover the full amount.

What Can Recoverable Damages From a Car Accident Include?

An injured person can recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover specific costs like medical bills, lost wages, and replacement services. Replacement services in this context can include things like childcare or cleaning that the injured person usually did themselves but cannot do because of the accident. If the accident caused a permanent disability, this should also cover future expenses like ongoing medical services and lost earning capacity. Calculating the appropriate amount of damages can be very complicated in this type of situation.

Non-economic damages compensate for intangible losses such as emotional trauma, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. Since these damages cannot be precisely measured, courts and insurers typically use economic damages as a baseline, applying a multiplier—usually between one and five—based on the accident’s severity. This multiplier determines the final non-economic damages amount. In Washington, punitive damages are not available for car accidents or personal injury cases, as they serve to punish rather than compensate.  In Bothell, only compensatory damages would be recoverable.

Discuss Your Bothell Car Accident Case and Recoverable Damages With a Lawyer

If you were injured in a car accident, you are likely dealing with physical pain, time away from work, and large medical bills. Recoverable damages after a Bothell car accident can help you pay for your expenses. This holds the other driver accountable and helps pay your bills so you can focus on recovering from your injuries. Hiring a lawyer will make this process easier and increase your chances of success. Libbey Law does not charge our clients until they have received compensation. Contact us to discuss your case today.