After being injured in a car accident, getting the medical care that you need often involves traveling to and from doctor appointments, hospitals, or physical therapy. These trips can be costly, especially if your injuries prevent you from driving or your vehicle is out of commission from the collision. You may be wondering whether you can be compensated for transportation costs to medical appointments after your accident. Understanding California’s regulations and the evidence you may need is crucial in protecting your rights. Read on and contact a knowledgeable San Mateo County, California motor vehicle accident lawyer for more information today.
Can I Be Compensated for Transportation to Medical Appointments After an Accident in CA?
In California, you are generally entitled to seek compensation for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred due to injuries caused by another party’s negligence. This includes the costs of traveling to and from your medical appointments.
Under Civil Code § 3333, California allows recovery for all damages proximately caused by another party’s negligence. When medical treatment is required because of an accident, the cost of getting to that treatment is part of the total expense. Transportation costs are considered an economic damage in a personal injury case, meaning that they are real financial losses the victim incurs.
What Types of Transportation Costs Can I Recover?
Any expense directly related to seeking necessary medical treatment should be covered in a personal injury claim or lawsuit. This often includes:
- Mileage: If you use your personal vehicle, you can seek reimbursement for the mileage driven at the current IRS standard mileage rate for medical purposes.
- Public transportation: The cost of bus fare, train tickets, or subways used to get to and from medical visits.
- Ridesharing/taxis: Fees paid for services like Uber, Lyft, or traditional taxi cabs, especially if your injuries prevent you from driving or using public transport.
- Ambulance or medically necessary transport: In severe cases, the cost of an ambulance ride or specialized non-emergency medical transport may also be compensable.
- Additional costs: Fees associated with parking garages, meters, tolls, and more can be included.
While these costs can be covered, proving them is essential in recovering compensation.
How Can I Prove My Transportation Costs?
To successfully claim these expenses, it’s imperative that you maintain thorough documentation, including logs of mileage, receipts for fares and tolls, and demonstrate that the appointments were necessary for the treatment of your accident-related injuries. You must meticulously track the dates, destinations, and total miles traveled for each trip.
Without clear and compelling evidence of the type of transportation you took, its cost, and why it was necessary, you may not be able to recover compensation for these costs. For more information and to secure the help of a legal professional, contact the Law Office of Alliser R. Liao, P.C. to schedule your free consultation today.