11 Types Of Compensation You Can Claim After A Car Accident
By Doug Standriff on July 9, 2025
Car accidents can cause both immediate and long-term challenges. When the accident is someone else’s fault, the law allows you to seek compensation for the losses you experience. Understanding these types of compensation can be overwhelming, but it is critical to know your rights.
In New Jersey, many drivers do not realize the full extent of the compensation they are entitled to. Let’s explore the types of compensation for a car accident that you may be able to claim.
Medical Bills
After a car accident, medical expenses can pile up quickly. The cost of hospital visits, surgeries, physical therapy, or any ongoing treatments adds significant financial strain.
Fortunately, you can claim compensation for your medical bills. This can include emergency room visits, doctor consultations, prescription medications, and rehabilitation costs. If the injuries caused by the accident require long-term care, those expenses can be included in your claim as well.
Lost Wages
Car accidents often leave victims unable to work for a period, either due to their injuries or the recovery process. As a result, a person may lose out on wages, bonuses, or commissions.
When you cannot return to your job, compensation for lost wages is a significant part of your recovery. The compensation will cover the income you lost during your period of recovery.
In some cases, it may include the loss of future earnings if your injuries have long-term effects on your ability to work.
Pain and Suffering
The physical and emotional toll of a car accident extends beyond the physical injuries. Pain and suffering are hard to quantify, but they play a significant role in a car accident claim. This type of compensation accounts for the physical pain you endure and the mental anguish that comes with it.
Furthermore, it can cover long-term emotional consequences such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To determine how much compensation you are entitled to, lawyers may use medical records, testimonies, and the severity of your injuries.
Property Damage
When you are involved in a car accident, the damage to your vehicle and personal property may be considerable. No matter if your car is damaged or destroyed, you can seek compensation to repair or replace it.
Property damage compensation can also cover the damage to any personal items in your car, such as electronics, clothing, or equipment. The compensation will depend on the extent of the damage and the cost to fix or replace the items.
Emotional Distress
In addition to the physical pain and suffering, the trauma caused by a car accident can lead to emotional distress. This includes anxiety, fear, depression, and an inability to enjoy life in the same way as before the accident.
Emotional distress compensation allows you to recover the mental toll caused by the accident. This is especially relevant if the accident resulted in severe psychological trauma that affects your daily life.
Loss of Consortium
Loss of consortium refers to the impact of the accident on the relationships between you and your spouse or family members.
If your injuries prevent you from participating in a normal family life or sexual intimacy, your spouse may be entitled to compensation. In some cases, a claim for loss of consortium is pursued to account for the negative effects that the injuries have on familial relationships.
Wrongful Death
If a loved one dies due to the negligence of another driver, the surviving family members may file a wrongful death claim. This compensation helps cover the loss of the loved one’s income, funeral costs, and the emotional impact of their death.
In cases of wrongful death, the surviving family members may also receive compensation for the loss of companionship and care that the deceased would have provided.
Rehabilitation and Therapy Costs
Rehabilitation is often a necessary part of the recovery process after a car accident. Be it physical therapy, psychological counseling, or vocational rehabilitation, therapy costs can be high.
The rehabilitation and therapy costs can be included in your claim. If your injuries affect your ability to perform your job duties or lead to permanent disabilities, compensation will account for these long-term needs as well.
Future Medical Care
Some car accident injuries may lead to long-term or permanent conditions that require ongoing medical care. You may need future surgeries, ongoing physical therapy, or treatments that you cannot foresee right after the accident.
Compensation for future medical care makes sure that you are not left to cover these costs on your own. This type of compensation is typically calculated based on expert medical opinions and the nature of your injuries.
Punitive Damages
While most compensation focuses on reimbursing victims for actual losses, punitive damages are intended to punish the at-fault party and deter others from similar behavior.
These damages are often awarded in cases involving reckless or egregious behavior, such as drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs. Punitive damages are less common and are typically awarded in cases where the defendant’s actions were particularly severe.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
In addition to physical pain and emotional distress, a car accident can significantly impact your ability to enjoy life as you once did. If your injuries prevent you from engaging in activities that you used to enjoy, such as hobbies, sports, or other social events, you may be entitled to compensation for loss of enjoyment of life.
This type of compensation addresses the reduction in your quality of life due to the accident and helps account for the things that you can no longer do because of your injuries.
Get the Compensation You Deserve with Bergen Law!
Bergen Law knows the complexity of car accident claims. Our experienced team, led by Certified Civil Trial Attorney Douglas Standriff, will guide you through each step of the legal process. We focus on your recovery, both physically and financially, and make sure that you receive the maximum compensation you deserve.
For a trusted Bergen County car accident lawyer, count on Bergen Law to handle your case with the care and expertise it deserves.
If you have been involved in a car accident, don’t hesitate to contact us today. Let us fight for your rights and help you get the compensation that you are entitled to.