The aftermath of a car accident can leave you reeling. Your primary focus is probably to simply find a way to cope with your physical pain and limitations, which includes seeking out medical and rehabilitative care. But there are other matters that you’ll have to contend with at the same time, which can quickly become overwhelming. You’ll have to find a way to make ends meet during a time when you are unable to work, which can be enormously challenging as you struggle to find a way to pay off you medical bills.
Available damages
A personal injury lawsuit might provide you with the relief that you need. But what kinds of damages can you recover from one of these claims? If you’re able to establish that another driver’s negligence caused the accident in question and, as a result, your injuries, then you might be able to recoup the following losses:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Lost earnings capacity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional pain and suffering
Figuring out exactly what your claim is worth takes a little bit of work. Figuring up the medical expenses that you’ve incurred and the wages that you’ve already lost can be pretty simple, but calculating future losses might require having an expert, like a medical professional, give an opinion. Noneconomic damages like pain and suffering are hard to put a price on, too. However, by knowing how judges and juries have handled these issues in the past, you might be able to come to a figure that is suitable for you.
Establishing the extent of damages
While focusing on proving liability is obviously important in your claim, establishing the true extent of your damages can be equally as critical. If you don’t put in the work to demonstrate just how much harm has been caused to you, then a finding of liability still won’t provide you with the financial relief that you need and deserve.
So, to make sure that you have a holistic claim that fights for everything to which you are entitled, consider consulting with a personal injury attorney who will fight for you.