Any careless actions that result in injury or death of another person are subject to legal action. To recover damages for a personal injury in Alief, you should document your losses, seek medical care, and contact an attorney.
Damages in an injury case is a broad topic that requires an experienced Alief personal injury lawyer. For example, damages vary from case to case and state to state. Furthermore, not all cases are eligible for compensation. For such reasons, you need to speak with a skilled personal injury lawyer before taking any action.
What are Damages in an Injury Case?
Damages refer to the monetary compensation a claimant or plaintiff is eligible for in a civil case. They cover losses suffered as a result of another party’s failure to observe the standard duty of care. Such a party may have acted recklessly, negligently, or carelessly toward the plaintiff contrary to what was expected of them, or what a reasonable person would in similar circumstances.
Some of the most common scenarios likely to result in a personal injury claim for damages include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Workplace accidents
- Product defects
- Playground accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Falls
- Motorcycle accidents
Any of these circumstances may establish the grounds for personal injury claims as long as someone else bore the duty of care but failed to observe and maintain it. Determining whether this threshold is met in your case is a long call, especially when you are severely injured or lack any legal experience. Luckily, a personal injury lawyer near you may help.
For a free legal consultation, call (713) 429-0711
Types of Damages in an Alief Injury Case
Damages in a personal injury claim involving negligence are unique and usually vary from case to case. However, there are general categories that apply to all injury cases. To begin with, you must establish what legal avenue you wish to partake in for compensation. You may choose to settle with insurance companies or have your attorney proceed to court. Either way, you may be eligible for:
Economic Damages
Economic damages are tangible losses that the plaintiff suffers following an accident. They are measurable since most of them have a specific monetary value. Your argument as the claimant is based on the fact that these damages would not have been incurred had the accident not happened. Common examples of economic damages in an Alief injury case include, but are not limited to:
- Past and future medical expenses for ambulances, doctors, diagnostic laboratories, etc.
- Rehabilitation and therapy expenses for long-term injuries
- Property repair costs
- Lost income for the time not worked
- Loss of future income due to permanent disability or disfigurement
Increasing your chances of recovering full reimbursement for your losses hinges on proper record keeping. You must record all copies of invoices, bills, and receipts of all expenses related to the aftermath of your accident.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are often referred to as general damages. They are subjective and intangible. They account for the abstract losses suffered by the injured person or their loved ones in case of wrongful death. Non-economic damages are unlimited since they usually don’t require tangible proof, as is the case with economic damages. However, you must provide supporting evidence, such as testimonials from expert witnesses. These losses often involve:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
- Diminished quality of life due to a permanent injury
- Emotional suffering/Mental anguish
Calculating the exact monetary value of non-economic damages in an Alief injury case is often difficult. However, outside help may help determine what your intangible losses are worth.
For example, mental health experts can help paint a picture of your emotional suffering and mental anguish, detailing the effect on your way of life. This helps put a dollar figure on your losses from where your legal team fights for maximum compensation.
Punitive Damages
The ultimate goal of damages in any personal injury case is to make the plaintiff whole again. However, this is limited only to special and general damages. Punitive damages are meant to punish the defendant for their negligence or wrongdoing and are only awarded in a court process.
For maximum compensation, your attorney must articulate your case effectively and convince the jury that the other party ought to have behaved better.
Hiring the Right Team for Maximum Compensation
Knowing what damages to claim in a personal injury case is a necessity when negotiating with insurance companies or arguing your case before the jury. Don’t take chances doing it all alone.
The Alief personal injury lawyers at Lone Star Injury Attorneys are available to discuss your case and fight on your behalf. Contact us today.
Call or text (713) 429-0711 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
