When you have been injured as a result of a person who caused an accident, you have the right to file a claim against them. You may be able to recover monetary compensation that can cover your full losses. Knowing what damages you are eligible to recover should be one of the first things you should find out if you’re interested in filing a personal injury case. With the help of a personal injury lawyer like one from Greenspan and Greenspan, P.C., you can ensure that your list of damages is complete.
Types of Damages
Damages are the losses that are awarded to the injured party. Knowing what types of damages you can recover can give you an idea of what your case value is and how much you should be compensated for.
- Economic damages. Economic damages are damages that can be verified with a monetary amount, such as medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and reduced earnings capacity. These losses can be calculated and are assigned an objective amount.
- Non-economic damages. Unlike economic damages which have a predetermined value, non-economic damages are subjective and are calculated differently. Insurance companies have their own calculations for determining the value of non-economic damages. These damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, quality of life changes, and more.
- Punitive damages. A personal injury case is a civil case, so generally punitive damages are not awarded. In a drunk driving case for example, the defendant is breaking the law, so if they injure another person because they are driving under the influence, they can be criminally charged. In this case punitive damages can be included in the case. A jury can choose to award them to the accident victim if the defendant engaged in reckless activity that caused significant harm.
Forgetting to Include Damages
Failing to include your full damages can result in critical consequences that can negatively impact your claim. For example, if you are including medical bills in your list of damages, but later find out that you did not account for future treatment, you can end up getting a lower compensation amount than you actually need.
Filing a personal injury claim can be confusing and time-consuming if you do it alone. With the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer that you can trust, you can be confident that your calculations and paperwork are done accurately and correctly. Talk to a trusted personal injury lawyer now if you need legal assistance if you have been recently hurt in an accident.