If a drunk driver recently hit you, some of the steps you need to take to recover may overpower you. Unfortunately, these preventable accidents can leave you — the victim — injured, overwhelmed, and burdened by the expense of the accident. Fortunately, once you hire a drunk driving accident lawyer, they will help you recover your costs and other financial compensation. Here are a few areas of expenses you can claim as a part of your case.

1. Medical Expenses

One of the most significant expenses you will have is medical expenses. The other driver is responsible for every related medical cost you incur from the time of the accident through the time of your complete recovery. Some medical expenses may include the following:

  • Ambulance rides
  • Emergency response services
  • Emergency room services
  • Inpatient and outpatient hospital visits
  • Urgent care clinic services
  • Surgeries, diagnostic testing, and other procedures
  • Follow-up medical appointments
  • Physical and occupational therapy services
  • Mental health assessments and counseling
  • Related prescription and over-the-counter drugs
  • Durable medical equipment (DME) such as crutches, canes, wheelchairs, walkers

If you have not fully healed by the time you settle your case, your drunk driving accident attorney will discuss with you how to calculate any future medical expenses you anticipate.

2. Transportation

You are also entitled to claim the cost of any transportation you need following the accident. While many people only think about the price of a rental car, it goes beyond that. You can also include the cost of any ride-share services, public transportation, or other fees you incur getting back and forth following the accident due to not having access to your car. You can only claim expenses you would not have usually had. 

For example, if you usually do not drive but catch public transportation to and from work, you would not be able to claim this expense. 

Make sure you keep good records because you can also claim the cost of transportation to and from your medical appointments. Even if you drive yourself, you can claim reimbursement for the mileage. 

3. Lost Wages

If you miss any work due to your accident, you will be able to claim these lost wages as a part of your case. Time out of work does not just cover the days immediately following the accident but also any time you have to take for medical appointments weeks or months later. You may even be able to claim the time you spend negotiating and settling your case.

For more information, contact a drunk driving accident lawyer near you.

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