The damages that you suffer in a car accident can be significant. So much so that it can leave you financially devastated, unable to make your rent or mortgage payment, pay your utilities bills, and put food on the table. You deserve better than that. That’s why you might want to consider taking legal action against the party who harmed you. If you do so and win your case, then you might be awarded compensation to recoup your losses.
But how much compensation could you get from your personal injury claim? This is a question that we often receive, and one that is crucial to figuring out how to approach your case. That’s why we want to take a closer look at this issue on this week’s blog. That way you’ll hopefully have a better understanding of what you’re claim is worth.
Calculating your economic damages
Economic losses are those that are directly tied to your finances. They include your medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages. Although it might be easy to calculate those economic damages that you’ve already felt, you’ll want to think about the ongoing losses that you’re going to face, too. This includes the medical treatment that you might need, the wages that you’re expected to lose, and any lost earnings capacity tied to your injuries.
So, as you’re calculating your economic damages, you’ll want to do each of the following:
- Retain your pay stubs
- Gather your medical bills
- Keep receipts for anything you purchase related to your recovery
- Talk to your medical provider about your prognosis and what kind of medical treatment you’ll need moving forward
- Seek out an expert who can testify as to the impact that your injuries will have on your earnings capacity and your career
Be as thorough as you can here so that you have a full understanding of what your medical needs are moving forward and how your injuries will impact your ability to earn a living.
Calculating your non-economic damages
Although economic damages will make up a significant amount of your losses, you can’t overlook your non-economic harm. This includes your physical and emotional pain and suffering, as well as any mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life that’s been dealt to you.
These damages can be difficult to prove. However, by being a little more cognizant of how your injuries have impacted your life, you can better argue for the damages that you deserve. Therefore, to support your claim for non-economic damages, you might want to do each of the following:
- Keep a journal, detailing how your injuries affect your ability to live and enjoy a normal life
- Talk to family and friends who may be able to attest to how your injuries have impacted how you act and socialize
- Carefully think through what activities you’ll be prevented from doing because of your injuries
Again, diligence is key here. Be comprehensive in considering the impact your injuries will have on your life.
Build the holistic personal injury case needed to succeed
Even the most clear-cut personal injury cases can be complicated by unexpected legal issues. If you don’t properly handle these matters, then your claim could end up being denied, or you could recover less compensation than you expected.
To avoid that from happening, you need to build strong legal arguments aimed at proving your case and your damages. An attorney who has handled these kinds of cases before should be able to give you assistance here, which is why now may be the best time for you to reach out to a legal team that has proven itself successful in recovering compensation for accident victims.