Individuals that have been the victim of an auto accident may be entitled to compensation and the court may rule that you deserve a personal injury award. It can involve economic damages, non-economic damages or both, depending upon the nature of the personal injury claim and the facts surrounding the case.
Economic Damages
These are losses that can be seen, quantified, and measured. They include a wide array of out-of-pocket expenses and medical-related costs. Medical bills typically comprise the majority of economic damages. Economic damages can include:
- Lost wages
- Past and future medical expenses
- Property damages
- Business opportunities that may have been lost
- Damages incurred if someone was using the plaintiff’s property without their permission
An economic damages award is based on actual costs that can be proven through invoices and receipts. Medical-related expenses can include ambulance bills, medications, mental health therapy, hospitalization, and rehabilitation. Costs can include those incurred to repair or replace vehicles or structures.
Non-Economic Damages
These types of losses are more difficult to prove since there are no bills or invoices that can be totaled for a dollar amount. They can vary widely from case to case and include:
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Disability, physical impairment, and disfigurement
- Loss of reputation
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship/sadness when a spouse, child, or parent is injured
The losses and damages the plaintiff claims that they’ve suffered have to be considered reasonable. Courts typically won’t allow non-economic damages to exceed 10 times the amount awarded for economic damages.
Contact an Attorney
Anyone that has suffered a personal injury accident should contact a lawyer. Injuries may be more serious than they appear and some may not be apparent until days or weeks after the accident occurred. There may be considerable expenses related to the accident that health, car or home insurance won’t cover.
An additional problem is that insurance companies typically evaluate losses at far less than the actual costs. It will require an attorney skilled in personal injury cases to represent and help clients navigate through the complexities and nuances associated with a personal injury accident.
Whether you need a Divorce, are dealing with Custody or Child Support issues, or need representation in a Personal Injury matter, the Law Offices of Theodore H. Enfield can confidently assist you. To learn more about how we can help you or to discuss the facts of your case with our attorneys, call to schedule your free consultation.