Did you know that there are many different personal injury damages you can receive in an auto accident? Many people assume they just receive compensation for their vehicle repairs and medical expenses, but that only scratches the surface of what you may qualify for.
You may receive more compensation than you think! Of course, calculating your expenses or figuring out what you deserve can seem like an impossible task when doing it on your own.
Instead, it may be better to work with a reputable attorney to help your case. So what damages could you receive and how can you find more information? Please continue reading below! In this brief personal injury damages guide, we will go over the different damages related to your car accident injury claim and who you can speak with for more information.
What Are Compensatory Damages?
Compensatory damages provide the victim with financial compensation for their emotional, physical, and financial damages. Compensatory damages are typically divided into two categories, special and general damages.
Special Damages
Special damages are easier to calculate because they typically already have a cash amount assigned to them. For example, your medical expenses or vehicle repair costs are considered special damages.
Additional examples of special damages:
- Lost wages
- Funeral expenses
- Rehabilitation
- Future medical expenses
If you or someone you loved suffered an injury that resulted in a disability, there is compensation for that. Compensatory damages may cover the cost associated with house renovations needed to make life easier for the disabled party. It also covers any rehabilitation costs or in-home nursing care or assistance.
General Damages
General damages are non-monetary personal injury damages that provide compensation for damages such as pain and suffering or emotional distress. These types of losses are a bit harder to calculate because of the varying factors that apply to each car accident claim.
Examples of general damages:
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish
- Dismemberment
To properly calculate your general damages, it is best to seek legal help. When you work with a reputable attorney who has experience handling car accident claims, they can assist you with getting the compensation you deserve.
What Are Punitive Damages?
Punitive damages are typically awarded to victims to punish the other party for their behavior. Punitive damages are meant to discourage the defendant from behaving in that manner again.
For example, if you suffered injuries at the expense of a drunk driver, the court may provide you with punitive damages because of the driver’s negligence. The other driver knew it was illegal to drive their vehicle in their inebriated state, yet they still got behind the wheel, causing injuries and putting others in danger.
The court has a say if punitive damages are awarded in a case, and not every case receives punitive damages. To learn more about your legal options and if your case qualifies for punitive damages, you may want to seek help from a personal injury lawyer for more information.
Should I Hire an Attorney?
Did you know that most attorneys offer their clients free, no-obligation case evaluations? If you’ve thought about hiring a lawyer, you can at least speak with one to learn more about your legal options. The attorney will look over the facts of your case, and they can let you know about the strengths and weaknesses of your claim.
Benefits of Hiring an Attorney for Personal Injury Damages
One of the biggest benefits of hiring a lawyer to handle your personal injury damages is their experience with cases like yours. Experienced attorneys know of the different personal injury damages that apply to your case, and they know how to negotiate the proper compensation for you.
When you’re injured and not feeling well, the last thing you want to do is try to figure out what type of compensation you deserve. Instead, you can rely on your lawyer to handle the calculations.
Handles the Claims Process
In addition to handling the calculations for your personal injury damages, your attorney will handle the entire claims process. This includes speaking with the other driver’s insurance company adjuster. They will also send evidence such as the police report, expert witness statements, and medical documents.
Protects Your Interests
During the auto insurance claims process, the insurance company requires each driver to provide a statement about what happened in the accident. Some adjusters use specific tactics to trip you up and get you to say something you didn’t mean. Others may twist your words, placing liability on you.
When you hire an attorney to handle your case, they take care of giving statements to the insurance companies. If your case requires an expert witness or an accident reconstructionist to better explain what happened in the accident, your attorney will also make sure to get their statements. Your attorney is your legal advisor who is there to make sure you understand what is going on with your case and that you receive the compensation you need and deserve.
Receive the Compensation You Deserve
If you sustained injuries in an auto accident, you deserve to receive compensation for your personal injury damages. You can claim several types of damages in your auto accident, such as pain and suffering, medical expenses, and property damage.
Calculating these damages on your own can prove to be a tedious task, especially if you aren’t sure what you could receive compensation for. It is best to leave the calculating to an experienced attorney.
If you need help seeking compensation for your damages, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We are here to answer any questions or concerns you may have about your injury compensation.
