If you’ve been in a car accident, you already know how quickly expenses can pile up. Car repairs are just the start—maybe you’ve had to pay for prescriptions, childcare, or rent a car.
These out-of-pocket expenses after a car accident can feel like an extra hit, especially when the accident was not your fault.
So, what exactly counts as an “out-of-pocket expense,” and can you get that money back?
Our Lima, Ohio car accident lawyers break it down in a way that makes sense.
To get more information and arrange a free consultation, give us a call at (419) 455-1410 or contact us online.
What Out-of-Pocket Expenses Can I Claim After a Car Accident?
Out-of-pocket expenses are costs you’ve had to cover that are a direct result of a car accident. These aren’t covered upfront by insurance or reimbursed automatically, so they can feel like a surprise hit to your wallet.
Often, these expenses look like:
- Medical co-pays and deductibles,
- Transportation costs,
- Household help,
- Damaged personal property, and
- Medications and medical equipment.
When thinking about what out-of-pocket expenses you can claim after a car accident, the key factors are that the costs must be reasonable and directly caused by the accident.
Examples of Out-of-Pocket Costs You Can Claim
By now, you’ve seen how out-of-pocket expenses after a car accident can add up, but let’s get more specific about what costs might be reimbursable.
Below are examples of out-of-pocket expenses after a car accident that accident victims often overlook:
- Emergency towing and storage fees. If your car is not driveable after the crash, you likely paid to have it towed and stored. Those costs can stack up quickly, especially if your vehicle is at a lot or garage for days or weeks.
- Rental car costs. While your car is being repaired, renting a car to get to work or appointments is an expense directly tied to the accident. Keep all rental agreements and receipts and include them in your claim.
- Hotel stays and meals. For accidents that happen far from home, you may need a hotel while waiting for repairs or alternative transportation. Meal costs during that time can also be part of your claim.
- Childcare or household help. If your injuries left you unable to care for your kids or handle daily chores like cleaning, laundry, or grocery shopping, you can claim the cost of hiring help.
- Medical-related equipment and supplies. Doctor-prescribed items like slings, crutches, or wheelchairs are valid expenses. Even smaller costs, like bandages or ice packs, count if necessary for your recovery.
- Replacing damaged personal items. Personal belongings such as phones, glasses, car seats, or laptops damaged in the crash are all eligible. These are easy to forget when dealing with bigger issues, so it’s important to note them.
Keeping receipts, notes, and invoices is crucial—they’re key to recovering compensation for out-of-pocket expenses.
How Do You Recover Out-of-Pocket Expenses After a Car Accident?
Recovering out-of-pocket expenses after a car accident starts with strong documentation. To include these costs in a claim, you must prove they were a direct result of the accident.
Here’s how to stay organized:
- Save receipts and records. Keep receipts, invoices, and bills for prescriptions, rental cars, or household help.
- Track travel costs. Log rideshare fares, gas receipts, or public transit expenses for medical appointments.
- Link expenses to the accident. Show how each cost relates to the crash, like rental car receipts matching repair timelines.
Ohio law allows out-of-pocket expenses to be included in personal injury claims. There’s no cap on these types of damages, but under the state’s modified comparative negligence rule, you can’t recover compensation if you’re more than 50% at fault for the accident.
Making Sure You’re Compensated for Every Dollar Spent
Out-of-pocket expenses after a car accident can add up fast, and without the proper support, it’s easy to miss costs you’re entitled to recover. At Bensinger Legal Services, we ensure every accident-related expense is accounted for, documented, and included in your claim.
Here’s how we can help:
- Identifying eligible expenses. We’ll review your case to ensure all out-of-pocket costs are included, from medical co-pays to rental car fees.
- Gathering documentation. Our team helps collect receipts, invoices, and other records to strengthen your claim.
- Negotiating with insurance companies. We handle the back-and-forth with insurers to ensure you aren’t shortchanged.
Even smaller costs can snowball over time, leaving you paying for things that weren’t your fault. We’ll make sure nothing gets missed.
Contact Our Legal Team to Get Started
At Bensinger Legal Services, we understand how unexpected costs from a car accident can affect your life. Attorney Aaron Bensinger and his team take the time to uncover every eligible expense—from rental cars to out-of-pocket medical costs—and ensure you’re not left paying for someone else’s mistake.
With years of experience serving Northwest Ohio, we’ll help you document expenses and hold the responsible party accountable.
Call (419) 455-1410 or contact us online for a free consultation.
Let’s work together to recover what you’ve paid.
Aaron L. Bensinger is an Ohio attorney serving personal injury and civil litigation clients. He has extensive trial experience and makes client service is his primary focus. As a partner at Balyeat, Leahy, Daley, Miller & Bensinger, LLC, Aaron happily works in Lima, OH, and serves the entire Northwest region of the state and beyond.
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