One of the questions that a car accident lawyer is often asked is how much their case is worth. It can be hard to determine how much a case is worth without getting into the specifics of a case, but it is much easier to explain what you may be compensated for. Here are a few things you can be compensated for if you were injured in an automobile accident.
Current and Future Medical Expenses
Suppose you were injured in a car accident. In that case, you may be able to recover your current and future medical expenses related to the injuries you suffered by filing a personal injury case. This includes not only your direct medical expenses but also things such as prescriptions, medical devices, crutches or wheelchairs, and physical therapy. Since no one knows exactly how much future medical costs will be, an attorney will help you estimate those expenses.
Lost Wages and Earning Potential
Another type of compensation that you may be entitled to if you file a personal injury case following a car accident is lost wages and the loss of your earning potential. If you miss time from work due to your injuries, you are entitled to be compensated for that missed time. Additionally, if your injuries are so severe that they prevent you from working in the same field, or working entirely again, you are entitled to compensation for your lost earning potential.
Permanent Injuries or Disfigurement
Some injuries heal, and then you are back to normal. Other injuries are permanent, create scars, or leave burns or other types of disfigurement. So if you have sustained a permanent injury or disfigurement due to injuries you sustained in a car accident, you can file a personal injury lawsuit and be compensated for those lasting injuries.
Pain and Suffering
Lastly, you may be eligible for compensation for pain and suffering in certain scenarios. To be eligible to be compensated for your pain and suffering, the at-fault party must have been doing something reckless or egregious. This may include driving drunk or street racing. Pain and suffering is only awarded if a judge or jury finds that someone was acting recklessly and with total disregard for others’ safety.
If you have sustained injuries in an automobile accident and someone else is at fault for or responsible for the accident, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible parties. This allows you to seek compensation for current and future medical expenses, lost wages and earning potential, permanent injuries and disfigurement, and potentially for your pain and suffering. Studies have shown that hiring a professional such as the attorneys at Cochran Law, who are Detroit based car accident lawyers, will help you to maximize your settlement or award. If you have been injured in an automobile accident, contact a car accident attorney for a free consultation.