Guide To Accident Litigation: The Intermediate Guide The Steps To Accident Litigation

Types of Accident Compensation

This type of compensation typically covers medical expenses, such as prescription medications, devices, physical therapy and surgery. This type of compensation can also cover future earnings potential.

This type of compensation can be described as "general damages." It can be difficult to determine the amount of these damages because insurers employ different methods of calculation.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are the tangible and measurable costs associated with an accident. These include out-of pocket expenses, lost wages and property damage costs and financial losses that will come from the disability or injury. Courts and juries usually calculate these costs based on documentation such as pharmacy receipts, hospital bills and vehicle repair estimates.

These costs are fairly simple to prove and are the most immediate expenses incurred by an accident. They often include medical expenses including the initial hospital stay, accident and all follow-up care and treatment. They could also include the cost of repairs to a damaged vehicle or other property items, like clothing and household goods. The cost of hiring someone to perform chores around the home or drive children to and from school or extracurricular activities could be included in these costs, as well.

Loss of wages is another common and important category of economic damages. This includes not just your missing wages from the time you had to stay home from work due to your injuries, but they may also take into account the loss of productivity during recovery and any use of vacation or sick leave. In certain cases you may even be able to claim compensation for the loss of your future earning potential in the event that your injury prevents you from returning to your previous job or hinders you from earning the same amount in the future.

While these expenses are evident and easily quantifiable, many of the other damages you can claim are not as clear. Non-economic damages are more difficult to quantify, and include things like pain and discomfort, disfigurement, and the loss of enjoyment.

How can you prove the damage?

Certain expenses can be established with receipts and paperwork however, some expenses may require expert testimony. For instance, in the event where an accident law firm leads to serious spinal cord injuries that renders a person partially paralyzed or disabled, it could be necessary to speak with an occupational expert to determine the full impact of the injury. This will assist the court or jury determine the exact extent of your personal and financial impact.

The most complex economic damages are those related to future medical costs and lost earnings. It is possible to document these costs by using a medical professional's assessment of when you'll reach maximum medical improvement, or when your recovery is likely be over. You'll need to prove that you'll suffer a future financial loss. This can be done by sending in your pay stubs, or expense receipts.

Insurance companies are trying to not pay as much damages as they are obligated to. A personal injury lawyer who is experienced will ensure that you receive all the compensation damages you are entitled to. Contact Dennis and King today to schedule a free consultation. We can help you seek the full range of economic and non-economic damage resulting from a New York car accident or other personal injury accident (investigate this site).