From car accidents and dog bites to slip and falls, personal injury claims cover a wide variety of accidents and are some of the most common lawsuits in the world. When you have been involved in an accident, you may have to deal with high medical bills, loss of income, physical pain, and more.
Though personal injury accidents make up a significant portion of civil litigation cases, only 4% of these cases make it to the court, according to The United States Department of Justice. The statistics also show that there are over 400,000 personal injury claims each year.
Therefore, the adverse effects of accidents can be very devastating to the victim and their family members. Thus, it is normal for someone to want justice and compensation after sustaining an injury because of negligence.
Damages Covered in a Personal Injury Claim
Whether you can sue for personal injury will depend on your state, the kind of accident, and several other factors. If you or your loved one have been in an accident, it may be best to hire an experienced lawyer to review the accident and help you with your claim.
A personal injury attorney in Columbia, South Carolina will work closely with victims to ensure that they get the compensation they deserve. If you have a valid claim, here are some of the things that you can sue for.
Medical Bills
Accident victims can claim past, current, and future medical expenses they incur due to the accident:
- Doctors’ fees
- Medication
- Medical procedure or treatment
- Surgeries
- Adaptive medical devices such as a wheelchair
- Therapy, and more.
Your lawyer will help you claim all your medical-related expenses, including the doctor’s appointment cost.
Property Repair/ Replacement
If your property, such as your vehicle, was damaged, you can also claim compensation to have it repaired or replaced if it was totaled.
Lost Wages
You may have to take some time off from your work or take unpaid leave to heal and recover from the accident. In some extreme cases, victims are unable to go back to their normal lives, especially if they lost a limb or a bedridden. You can claim the income you lost after the accident.
Pain and Suffering
You deserve to be compensated for the discomfort you endure because of your injuries. Though it is hard to put a price on this, insurance companies have a way of calculating how much they should pay for pain and suffering. It may be a good idea to write down how the pain is interfering with your life and use it as evidence as you make your claim.
Emotional Distress
It is normal for accident victims to suffer emotional harm. You should be compensated for it too. Emotional distress includes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, or insomnia. This claim compensates you for the psychological effects of the accident and is only valid if confirmed by a psychiatrist.
Punitive Damages
In some cases, a plaintiff can claim punitive damages. Punitive damages are not meant to cover loss or pain. They are intended as a punishment to the defendant for their negligent actions that caused the accident. To get awarded for this claim, several state laws require proof that the defendant willfully or knowingly caused the accident.
These damages or claims are meant to help victims recover their losses and restore them to the position they would have been if the accident never occurred.
Obtain a Lawyer to Help You Make Your Claim
It is important to get legal help if you are dealing with a personal injury claim. A lawyer will help you file your claim in good time and get the right compensation.