Types of Property You Can Claim Damages For After a Car Accident

Car accidents can lead to more than just injuries – they often result in significant property damage as well. From your vehicle to personal items you carry, these losses can quickly add up. It’s important to discuss your injuries and the compensation you can seek with an attorney to ensure you’re not leaving any damages unclaimed. In this post, we’ll explore the types of property you can claim damages for after a car accident.

Properties You Can Claim Damages for After an Accident

Here are some of the properties that might be eligible to collect damages for after a car accident:

Damaged Cars and all associated costs

Repairing a car after an accident isn’t just about replacing a bumper and calling it a day. You’ve got parts, labor, paint matching, and sometimes hidden damage underneath that needs fixing, too. 

The goal of the repair is to bring your car back to the exact same shape it was in before the crash. That means if your car had brand-new tires or a recently installed stereo system, the repairs should factor those things in too.

Sometimes, even after repairs, your car doesn’t hold the same value it did before the crash. This is called diminished value. So let’s say your car was worth $20,000 before the crash, and now, even with full repairs, it’s only worth $16,000. You might be able to claim that $4k difference as part of your damages, too.

If your car isn’t drivable after the accident and you have to use Uber, taxis, or public transport, those extra travel costs can also be part of your claim. Just make sure you keep every receipt and quote because that’s the proof you’ll need to show how much the accident actually cost you.

Damaged structures  

If a vehicle crashes into your house, your garage, your fence, or even your business storefront, you’ve got a bigger issue. 

Structural damage like this can be really expensive to fix. There might be shattered windows, broken fences, or parts of the house getting hit. Even something as simple as a dented garage door can cost over $1,500 to replace. If there’s foundation or roof damage, repairs can easily hit $10,000 or more.

The process for claiming this kind of damage works the same way. You simply have to document everything, take pictures, and get estimates for the repairs. If you run into problems with the insurance company, that’s when you might need a lawyer to step in and help you fight for what you’re owed.

Miscellaneous costs

Aside from the car and structures that were the primary damaged items, you can also collect compensation for these items and the costs associated with them:  

• Things inside the car: Phones, laptops, shopping bags, or anything else that was damaged or destroyed when the accident happened.

• Towing costs: If your car had to be towed from the scene, you can include that cost in your claim.
• Vehicle storage fees: Sometimes your car gets taken to a storage yard until the insurance company checks it out. You’ll want to claim that back too.
• Replacement costs: If your vehicle is completely totaled and not worth repairing, then you’ll be looking at how much it would cost to get a similar vehicle.

Conclusion

Property damage isn’t just about your car getting a dent. It’s about every single thing that crash impacts, starting from your transportation, your belongings, and sometimes even your home. 

You have the right to get those things repaired or replaced, and that means making a strong property damage claim. Just remember, always gather your receipts, take pictures of the scene, and don’t try to go through it alone if you’re hitting roadblocks.