The Accident Litigation Case Study You'll Never Forget

Types of Accident Compensation

This type of compensation typically covers medical expenses, such as prescription drugs, devices, physical therapy and surgery. It could also be used to cover future earnings.

This type of compensation is usually referred to as "general damages." However, determining the value of these damages is difficult since insurers employ different calculation methods.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are the tangible, quantifiable costs that result from an accident compensation claims. They include out-of-pocket expenses, losses from missed work, property damage costs and the potential for future financial losses due to the injury or disability. The courts and juries usually determine these costs using documents such as hospital bills, pharmacy receipts and vehicle repair estimates.

These costs are relatively easy to prove and are among the most immediate expenses associated with a crash. They cover medical expenses like the initial hospital stay and all subsequent care and treatment. They may also include the cost of repairing a damaged vehicle or other property items such as clothing and household items. These expenses could also include the cost of hiring a third party to take care of household chores or driving your children to school or any other extracurricular activities.

Lost wages are another common and important category of economic damages. This is not just the income you lost due to your injuries but also the lost productivity during your recovery, as well as any sick days or vacation leaves. In some cases, you can even recover compensation for the loss of your earning potential in the future when your injury stops you from returning to your previous job or stops you from earning the same amount in the future.

While these expenses are clear and measurable, some of the other damages that you can accident claim are less so. These non-economic damages are often more difficult to quantify, and accident compensation could include things like pain and suffering, disfigurement or loss of enjoyment of life.

How can you demonstrate these damages?

Certain expenses can be established through receipts or paperwork however, some expenses may require expert testimony. For instance, in cases when an accident attorney results in an extremely severe spinal cord injury which leaves a victim partially paralyzed, it may be necessary to consult an occupational expert to determine the full impact of the injury. This will help the court or jury to make a precise determination of the full scope of financial and personal impacts will be.

The most complex types of economic losses are those that relate to future medical expenses and lost earnings. You may be able document these costs by using a medical professional's estimation of your maximum improvement in your medical condition or when your recovery is expected to come to an end. However, you will need to prove your future financial loss by providing pay invoices, stubs as well as other proof of your present and previous income.

Insurance companies try to avoid paying the entire amount of damages they have to pay legally. A personal injury lawyer with experience can ensure you receive all the compensatory damages you are entitled to. Dennis and King can schedule a no-cost consultation. We can help you seek the full spectrum of your economic and non-economic damages following a New York car accident law firm or another personal injury event.