Suing for Damages after an Accident

Getting into a car accident is the last thing on a person’s mind when they walk out their door and head to their vehicle. Nevertheless, it happens across Canada approximately 440 times every day. We at McNally Gervan Personal Injury Lawyers of Ottawa understand how painful and terrifying accidents can be when they happen. Even if the accident is a minor one, the price of fixing the vehicle damage and the cost of medical treatment can still be high. The victim may wonder how they will find relief from the pain of their injuries or how they will pay for the added costs. At this point, the victim has the option to sue for the damages stemming from the motorcycle accident or car accident. Continue reading to learn about what kinds of damages you can claim in a personal injury lawsuit.

Kinds of Damages

For personal injury lawsuits, the type of compensation depends on the harm you suffered in the accident and on the kind of damage that results from the accident. Below are the kinds of damages for which you can file a lawsuit to get the total compensation on your claim.

Special/Economic Damages

Special damages, also known as economic damages, are strictly cost-based. They cover quantifiable and easily calculable costs that the injured victim incurs, including all accident-related medical expenses, such as expenses for:

• initial emergency care;
• diagnostic tests;
• prescription medications;
• surgery; and
• physical therapy.

Special damages can also include the income the injured person loses during their convalescence period and their future income if they can no longer work due to a disability acquired due to the accident.

General Damages

General damages are non-economic damages. They cover all types of suffering (i.e. unquantifiable losses) that the victim endures because of their injuries. Typical kinds of general damages awarded to victims include mental-anguish damages and pain-and-suffering damages. Because these are unquantifiable, they are harder to determine. 

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are a deterrent; they aim to penalize the individual who caused suffering to the injured party. They are often awarded for cases in which the defendant is found guilty of committing gross negligence or intentionally injuring the victim.

Moving Forward

If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, you deserve adequate support. The personal injury lawyers at McNally Gervan of Ottawa can guide you through the many types of compensation available to you that can offset any damages you suffered from the accident. Contact McNally Gervan today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. We will answer all your questions and describe how personal injury claims work. Call us today at 613-238-1424 to obtain the compensation owed to you.