If a person is injured in a car accident, he or she may be entitled to several types of compensation. It’s helpful to understand each category before filing a claim.
Medical care and lost wages
Unfortunately, the victim’s injuries can be serious and as a result, he or she can incur significant medical expenses. These might include the hospital bill, clinic visits for follow up care, ongoing physical therapy, equipment and other treatment. The victim can include both current and future expenses with his or her claim.
Next, the victim may be unable to work while he or she heals. This may be temporary, lasting a few weeks or months or sometimes long-term. Any time a victim loses wages, it affects him or herself and the family that relies on the income.
Also, the accident can cause the victim to lose future earning capacity. This means that the court may consider earnings the victim would have had if the accident hadn’t happened. This may be based on his or her age, occupation and skill.
Pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment
The victim may receive compensation for pain and suffering for an injury that causes physical or mental pain after the accident, such as headaches or emotional difficulties. It is based on the severity of the injury, the age of the victim and the degree of suffering.
Loss of enjoyment refers to the victim’s inability to participate in activities that he or she used to take part in.
An experienced attorney can pursue a claim for compensation on the injured person’s behalf.