If you are hit by a car, you will very likely suffer some serious injuries. Depending on how fast the driver was traveling and where you were struck, you could end up with several broken bones, a spinal cord injury or worse.
Due to the extent of injuries typically suffered in these pedestrian accidents, it is very likely that you may have a very difficult time recovering from the crash. Unfortunately, your recovery can be made even more difficult because of the financial strain that can result from a serious accident. Thankfully, you have options to seek financial relief if your injuries are the result of negligence.
Generally speaking, there are three different types of damages that you may be able to seek in any personal injury claim: those that can be calculated precisely, those that cannot and those intended to punish the negligent party.
In terms of damages that can be calculated precisely, we can include almost anything that involves some sort of bank transaction or receipt. This might include lost wages, medical bills, expenses incurred for the addition of special equipment inside a home and ongoing therapy.
Damages that cannot be calculated precisely can be just as hard to deal with as economic losses even though you may not get a bill for anything. These non-economic damages can include pain and suffering, loss of companionship, loss of consortium and distress caused by scarring or disfigurement.
Finally, there may be instances when a court also awards punitive damages in addition to economic and non-economic damages. These awards serve only as a means of punishing a defendant for acts that were especially malicious or dangerous. While they are not ordered in every case, they can be substantial.
The extent of damage suffered in a serious accident can reach far beyond the number that appears on a medical bill. It is crucial to take into consideration all the different ways in which you have been impacted by an accident so that you can pursue adequate compensation to help you recover.
You should not have to pay for someone else’s negligent or reckless decisions. Speaking with an attorney about your options for filing a personal injury lawsuit can be an effective way to remedy the situation.