Accidents can happen at any time, and on a wide scope of severity. At times, accidents happen because of a person’s negligence, which can lead to a personal injury claim. Common examples of personal injury cases include motor vehicle collisions, slip and falls, workplace injuries, dog bites, medical malpractice, product defects, and assault.
When someone is seriously injured in an accident due to another’s negligence, they may be entitled to certain compensation for their damages and losses incurred as a result of the accident and subsequent injuries. Damages and losses differ from case to case depending on several factors, such as the extent of injuries, the extent of negligence, and the unique circumstances of the accident.
Continue reading to learn more about common personal injury damages, and how to get started on your accident claim today.
Common Types of Losses
Personal injury claims generally recognize and consider three types of losses, referred to as “compensatory damages.” These include economic losses, future economic losses, and non-economic losses. Types of economic losses may include medical expenses, hospital bills, over-the-counter medication costs, prescription costs, lost wages, time off work, childcare expenses, home adaption expenses, fuel costs (to and from doctors’ visits), and similar expenditures.
Types of future economic losses may include prolonged medical treatment, physical therapy, long-term care, future medical expenses, future prescription costs, future hospital costs, and more. Types of non-economic losses may include pain and suffering, permanent disability, permanent disfigurement, mental anguish, PSTD, loss of social life, loss of work abilities, loss of companionship, loss of education experience, and more.
Medical Expenses
After being seriously injured in an accident, a person will require medical attention; and unfortunately, medical care is not free. Medical bill coverage is a big part of the financial recovery in a personal injury case. Services like ambulance rides, surgeries, doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, medical treatments, medicine, MRI’s, x-rays, CT scans, follow up care, and more, all cost a lot of money, even with health coverage. The total cost of a victim’s medical expenses varies from case to case, and depend largely on the extent and needs of their injuries. For more serious injuries, medical expenses can be ongoing for the remainder of a victim’s life, so future medical costs must be considered in a personal injury claim as well.
Lost Income and Additional Losses
When a person is seriously injured in an accident, they are unable to work, which means they lose out on the wages that generally pay for their cost of living. Rent, mortgages, car payments, electric bills, groceries, and more, are all common bills that must be paid to maintain the quality of life a victim had before the accident. If they are unable to work, they are losing money that usually pays these expenses and more. These types of losses may be recoverable in a personal injury case.
Additional monetary losses that may result from a serious injury include vehicle damages, funeral costs, pain and suffering, loss of companionship, loss of work abilities, long-term emotional trauma, PTSD, and more.
Where to Get Trusted Legal Advice Regarding Your Indianapolis Personal Injury Claim
Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to make a personal injury claim in Indianapolis. Licensed accident attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are ready to pursue your case and obtain a full and fair settlement for your losses. We offer free initial consultations and represent injured persons throughout the State of Indiana.