A Full-Service Law Firm, Putting Clients First Since 1953

How much can you recover from your personal injury claim?

On Behalf of | Mar 29, 2023 | Motor Vehicle Accidents

The answer to this question is going to depend on the circumstances surrounding your accident and your recovery. But the answer is crucial to how you approach your case moving forward. After all, if you have an unrealistic expectation of what you can recover from your personal injury claim, then you may be disappointed in your ultimate recovery. On the other hand, if you under value the extent of your damages, then you might be left without the financial resources that you need to be stable as you focus on reclaiming your health and your normal life.

How do you assess your damages?

When preparing your legal claim, you’ll want to assess your harm by dividing them into two categories: economic and non-economic damages. Each category can be significant, and you’ll want to fully address each of them as you navigate your case. Let’s look at each of them in turn so that you know what you can do to start gathering evidence to support your claim.

Economic damages

These are damages that are calculable and are directly tied to your financial well-being. They may include:

  • Incurred medical expenses
  • Anticipated medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Anticipated lost wages
  • Lost earnings capacity
  • Costs associated with your rehabilitation

These losses can quickly accumulate, but some of them are easy to lose track of. For example, you may not remember that money spent on things like crutches, bandages, and medication should be considered economic damages that are recoverable.

Therefore, if you want to position yourself to recover the economic damages that you’ve suffered then you should do each of the following:

  • Retain all medical bills
  • Gather pay stubs to show your pre-accident income
  • Keep all receipts for purchases related to your accident injuries
  • Talk to your doctor about your need for ongoing care and treatment
  • Speak to an expert in your field of employment about how your injuries will impact your ability to work and advance in your career

Non-economic damages

Your non-economic damages can make up a significant portion of your losses, too. This harm includes the intangible harm that’s been caused to you. Pain and suffering, lost enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and mental anguish fall into this category.

Although you might feel that your non-economic damages are extensive, how do you put a price tag on your inability to play with your children or participate in a hobby that you love? That’s hard to do. But you may be able to make a stronger argument for the compensation that you deserve if you can adequately address these key factors:

  • The severity of your injuries
  • The expected longevity of your injuries
  • The span of time during which your pain and anguish is expected to last
  • How your injurie affect your ability to live your normal life

The more detailed you are in addressing these issues the better. Remember, there’s a certain amount of emotional appeal when arguing for non-economic damages, so don’t shy away from telling the true story of how your life has changed since being injured in your wreck.

Be prepared to fight for what you deserve

You only get one shot at your personal injury case. Therefore, you’ll want to present the best arguments you can develop in order to position yourself as strongly as possible for recovering the compensation that you need to offset your losses.

We know that money isn’t everything in your life and your recovery, but compensation, coupled with a sense of justice, can go a long way. With that in mind, you may want to reach out to a legal professional to discuss the best way to navigate your case so that you can protect your interests and your future.

 

Archives