Pursuing Damages for Property After a Personal Injury
When someone’s reckless or negligent actions cause injury and personal damages, they can be held liable for resulting losses. Injury victims can pursue financial compensation by filing a personal injury claim in civil court.
In some instances, negligent behavior not only leads to personal injury, but property damage as well. Victims of personal injuries that involve damage to property are likely to wonder if they can pursue financial compensation for those additional losses. Personal injury attorneys Randy Akin and Greg Burton are happy to work with individuals in the Longview, TX, area to determine the types of damages they may be due following an accident.
Damages in a Personal Injury Case
Personal injury claims allow injury victims to hold persons or parties accountable when their reckless or negligent actions lead to injuries that result in physical and financial damages. Plaintiffs in a personal injury case may pursue financial compensation for the full extent of economic and non-economic losses related to their injury. Typical damages in a personal injury claim include:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages
- Loss of wage earning potential
- Pain and suffering
Can I Be Compensated for Property Damage?
Property damage is not generally accounted for in a personal injury claim. However, if someone is injured in a car accident or other event that results in damage to property, they can pursue compensation for property damages by filing a property damage claim. A property damage claim can be filed on its own, but if someone is already filing a personal injury claim, it is more common to include the property damage claim as part of the larger case.
What Type of Property Is Covered in a Property Damage Claim?
When filing a property damage claim, our Longview clients can pursue financial compensation for losses related to damage to real property or damage to personal property. The law defines real property as land or any buildings/fixtures that are permanently attached to the land (such as a home). Personal property refers to property that is not affixed to land, such as a vehicle, a boat, jewelry, and other personal objects. Depending on the extent of property damages, a plaintiff may ask the defendant to cover the cost of property repairs, or the cost of property replacement.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Property Damage Claim?
As with a personal injury claim, the amount of time that a person has to file a property damage claim is limited by the statute of limitations in their state. In Texas, individuals have to file a property damage claim within two years of the date that the damage occurs. This two year deadline applies whether someone is filing a separate property damage claim or if the property damage claim is part of a larger personal injury lawsuit.
Get in Touch
If another person’s reckless actions have caused you to suffer personal injuries and have caused damage to your property, you have the right to pursue financial compensation for your losses. To find out how much compensation you may be due after an accident, send us a message online, or call our Longview law firm at (903) 297-8929, and schedule a consultation with our personal injury attorneys.
