Car accidents can be traumatic experiences that can result in a variety of injuries. Because of the shock of a collision, chemical reactions within the body can lead to cardiac arrest. A heart attack can also result from blunt force trauma to the chest. If you or a loved one suffered a heart attack as a result of a collision, you could be entitled to compensation.
At Vaughan & Vaughan, we have helped accident victims and their families get the compensation they deserve after crashes leading to heart attacks. To find out more about your legal rights after a wreck, schedule a free consultation with an Indianapolis car accident attorney today.
Recovering Compensation After a Heart Attack Caused by a Car Accident
Like any other injury you suffer in a car accident where another party was at fault, you may be able to recover compensation for a resulting heart attack. An experienced attorney can help you determine who was responsible for your accident and file a personal injury lawsuit or an insurance claim with the liable party’s provider.
The hospital bills alone can be overwhelming after a heart attack. On top of that, you can face missed work, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and various other problems. Recovering compensation from the liable party can be essential for getting your life back on track.
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The Attention It Deserves
Damages You Can Claim Following a Heart Attack Caused by a Car Accident
After suffering a heart attack in a car accident, you will likely be able to recover a variety of damages. You must identify all the damages you are eligible to claim in order to put yourself in the best position possible to receive the full value of your claim.
It is critical to understand that all accident cases are different, and the available damages can differ even in situations that seem similar. Fortunately, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you determine all the damages that apply to your case and give you the best chance of getting the money you need.
All recoverable damages can be divided into three main categories.
Economic Damages
Any losses you suffer that impact your financial situation belong in the category of economic damages. Because these losses are monetary, calculating their value tends to be pretty straightforward. After suffering a heart attack in a car accident, some of the economic damages you will most likely be eligible to recover include:
- Lost income
- Lessened earning ability
- Medical expenses
- Future medical bills
- Property damage
- Money spent to complete daily tasks you can no longer perform yourself
Non-Economic Damages
All other losses resulting from your accident are categorized as non-economic damages. Because these losses do not have a dollar figure attached, calculating the worth of these losses can be challenging. After suffering a heart attack in a car accident, some of the economic damages you will most likely be eligible to recover include:
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of consortium
- Permanent disability
Punitive Damages
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may also qualify for punitive damages. Punitive damages are not awarded to replace losses suffered by the injury victim. Instead, these damages are meant to punish the liable party for the role they played in causing the accident.
A judge will only consider punitive damages if the party that caused your accident was criminally negligent or acted with the purpose of causing harm to others.
When a Heart Attack Caused By a Car Accident Results in a Wrongful Death
If your loved one suffered a heart attack that resulted in a wrongful death, you could be entitled to recover a wide range of damages. While money is unlikely to be the top thing on your mind after the loss of a loved one, recovering compensation can be critical, especially if the deceased was the primary earner for your household.
Some additional damages that are often available in wrongful death cases include:
- Funeral expenses
- Burial costs
- Lost projected earnings for the income the deceased likely would have earned over the rest of their lifetime
Be Sure to File Your Car Accident Lawsuit on Time
When planning to file a lawsuit in Indiana after suffering a heart attack in a car accident, it is essential that you pay attention to the personal injury statute of limitations. In Indiana, accident victims generally have two years from the date of the accident to file. If you miss the filing deadline, you could be out of options for recovering compensation.
However, it is critical that you understand that the filing deadline is not set in stone. A variety of factors could potentially alter the amount of time you have to submit the required paperwork. Depending on the details of your case, you could qualify to file long after the standard deadline or face further limitations on your filing time.
To avoid losing your right to claim damages because of an unexpected deadline, you need to speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible after your accident. Your lawyer will be able to identify if any special circumstances apply to your case and will file all the necessary paperwork well before the cutoff date.
Get a Free Consultation from an Experienced Car Accident Attorney Today
A heart attack can throw your world into chaos. After being hospitalized, it is essential that you focus on your health and getting your life back to normal. Fortunately, when you hire an experienced car accident attorney, they will handle every aspect of your legal case and help to protect your financial future while you recover from your injuries.
At Vaughan & Vaughan, we have a long history of helping victims get the compensation they need and deserve. Contact us today by phone or through our website to schedule a free case review with a member of our legal team.
