Author: Jay Howard
After an accident, you may need emergency medical attention for any injuries you sustain. While some accidents may only inflict scrapes and bruises, there are others that can have life-threatening harm. If another person causes you to face expensive financial losses and emotional distress, you are eligible to seek compensation for the damages you incur.
The legal process of filing a claim in Georgia can feel overwhelming and presents complicated questions that you may not know the answers to. With the help of a personal injury lawyer, you’ll have an experienced legal representative by your side every step of the way. They will use their extensive resources and knowledge to provide you with dependable advice for your claim.
3 Factors to Include When Calculating Your Damages
Just like how every accident is unique and requires thorough investigation, a personal injury claim and the damages you can recover all depend on specific factors in your case. When you are gathering information and evidence for your claim, consider the three main types of damages that you can recover in your personal injury case:
Economic Damages
Economic damages, or special damages, refer to compensation that is verifiable through monetary losses that you sustain after an accident. These damages can include the following:
- Medical and treatment bills
- Lost income or wages
- Property damage or lost property
- Other financial losses due to the accident
For economic losses, gathering your bills and receipts for expenses or lost income is essential for your claim. Talk with your lawyer about how to properly gather information on the types of expenses you paid.
Non-economic Damages
Non-economic damages are harder to prove than economic ones. While economic losses may have receipts or documentation of the expenses you paid, general or non-economic damages often do not have physical paperwork. However, the assistance of a legal representative can help find ways to prove these significant losses.
The following are a few examples of non-economic damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of Enjoyment
- Emotional distress
- Loss of society and companionship
The harm you sustain after an accident can significantly impact your daily life, and while those losses are difficult to show, they still contribute to your well-being. It is critical that you show all the harm a negligent party inflicted so you can recover the compensation you deserve.
Punitive Damages
If an accident is severe and the negligent party acted in highly reckless behavior, you can recover punitive damages. These damages are meant to punish defendants for careless behavior and a disregard for public safety and health. Because punitive damages are rare, a clear indicator of fault is almost always necessary.
After an accident occurs, it’s crucial that you document the accident with pictures or photos if you have access to those devices. Even taking notes of what happened or writing down witnesses’ contact information is enough. Any information that you can gather at the scene will greatly contribute to your claim.
Trust Experienced Georgia Attorney’s for Your Injury Claim Today
From hospital fees to the cost of physical therapy, the expenses you sustain due to another person’s negligence is frustrating and can significantly impact you and your family’s life. With reliable communication and client-oriented legal services, our team at Tabbaa Law dedicates our resources and knowledge to help those who need us most. We understand how an accident can make you feel hopeless and alone, but our team will make sure you are taken care of every step of the way.
Call (770) 370-7881 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation today.
Personal Injury