Beyond the hospital bills, lost wages and other financial losses, there is more to the damages you are entitled to for injuries suffered in an accident caused by the negligence of another party. Non-economic damages are equally crucial and form a significant part of your claim.
Usually, the extent of your injuries and their impact on your quality of life will determine what you can claim in such damages. For instance, a person who suffered catastrophic injuries like an amputation or paralysis stands to lose a lot and is entitled to more in such damages.
Types of non-economic damages
Your injuries may have caused you emotional anguish, trauma, physical pain and suffering or inconvenienced you in other ways. You may also be unable to do the things you used to enjoy before, like engaging in social activities with friends and family. These are some of the non-economic damages you can claim after an accident.
Others include disfigurement, loss of consortium or companionship and a diminished quality of life.
Proving and calculating non-economic damages
You must prove the non-economic damages in your claim. This can be done using medical evidence. A doctor’s report stating the extent of your injuries and how they affect your everyday life will help paint a picture of the situation. Testimonies from those close to you or social workers can also go a long way.
When determining the value of these damages, there is no one way of going about it. Several approaches may be used to assign a monetary figure to these damages, such as multiplying your economic damages by a factor.
Getting justice after a car accident
Many do not understand the non-economic damages they are entitled to after a crash. As a result, accident victims often settle for less compensation. It explains the importance of seeking legal counsel soon after an accident – to assess your damages and ensure you get what you deserve in compensation.
