High costs of motor vehicle accidents

On Behalf of | Feb 21, 2018 | Serious Personal Injury

Serious motor vehicle accidents in Hawaii can result in high costs, not just monetarily but emotionally and mentally as well. In cases related to personal injury, whether there was serious injury or even death, there are numerous things victims can pursue compensation for.

According to the CDC, deaths alone can account for $149 million in motor vehicle crash costs in just one year in the state of Hawaii. Out of this amount, only $1 Million is for medical expenses and the rest goes towards costs related to work loss. The most common type of road users killed every year is motorcyclists, followed by pedestrians and then motor vehicle occupants.  

According to FindLaw, medical expenses are often the most common type of compensation sought for in PI claims. Along with treatment and therapy for current injuries, the victim may also seek additional money for ongoing treatment after the case is settled. Compensation for lost wages is often a common request. This includes for the time the victim was in the hospital, in doctor’s appointments and even based off an inability to earn the same money on a permanent basis due to injuries.

Damages for pain and suffering refer to those related to physical or mental distress caused by the crash. If this is awarded the amount is based off a number of factors such as the severity of the pain, the type of injury and potential pain in the future. 

One type of grievance that may be brought upon by an uninjured spouse is loss of companionship or affection. This occurs when the injured spouse is unable to show affection, be a proper companion or participate in sexual activities.