Collecting Damages After a Personal Injury Accident
A personal injury is a sad and often tragic event where someone is injured due to the negligence or intentional act of another person or entity. When this happens, the entire family can be thrown into an uproar worrying about their injured family member and how they will face the financial debt that comes along with it. In California, when a personal injury occurs, the injured person may claim financial damages to pay for those outlying costs. Although it does not ease the pain and suffering the injured person endures, it can help by punishing the at-fault party and covering the financial loss. A lawyer who exclusively handles personal injuries is experienced in handling these types of cases.
Categories That Encompass a Personal Injury
When most people think of personal injuries, car accidents come to mind. However, there are many categories in personal injury law where a claim can be placed for damages. They include:
- Traffic collisions such as car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, scooter and pedestrian accidents
- Common carriers such as buses, or taxis
- Construction accidents
- Dog and animal bites
- Farming accidents
- Government claims
- Products liability claims such as with medicines, vehicles, defective furniture and appliances
- Swimming pool accidents such as electrocution and drowning
- Traumatic injuries
- Uber/Lyft and other hired rides
- Wrongful deaths, whether accidental or intentional
What a Personal Injury Claim Covers
Injury claims cover the economic and non-economic losses faced by an injured person when negligence caused the accident. Economic losses are those that have an assigned monetary value. Non-economic losses are those that are important but have an unassigned value. Most claims must be filed within two years of the injury, which is the statute of limitations. However, because evidence can be covered up or disappear, filing as soon as possible with the help of an experienced lawyer is a good idea. Government claims have a much shorter period in which to file, and an experienced lawyer can help ensure that paperwork is done correctly and filed on time.
Medical Costs
Those who are injured often face high medical bills. The injured person can place a claim for damages to cover those medical costs, which can be extensive if the injury is serious. My office has the experience and a record of winning high settlements and verdicts for our injured clients. Some of the areas covered under medical costs include:
- Ambulance and emergency room charges
- Hospitalization
- Surgeries to repair the damage caused by the accident, including tests, medications and other expenses
- Physical rehabilitation
- Specialists
- After injury care such as a home health care nurse
- Adjustments needed to the home such as ramps and grab bars
- Durable equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, etc.
Lost Wages and Pain and Suffering
Being injured in an accident can also mean lost time at work. The amount of money lost, including bonuses and other perks, is recoverable through a personal injury claim.
A negligent driver should not only have to pay for the financial losses incurred by the injured person but for the pain and suffering they endured also. A traumatic accident can have long-term effects from interfering with the injured person’s relationship with family members to loss of the enjoyment of life. The emotional and psychological trauma can require professional help in some to overcome it. These losses, including the loss of consortium, are recoverable.
Lincoln Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Lincoln personal injury lawyer. If you’ve suffered an injury, call me at (916) 921-6400 for my free and friendly advice about your case. I can also be reached at (800) 404-5400 or by messaging me online.
I’ve helped Lincoln residents since 1982 to get fair compensation for traffic accident injuries, wrongful deaths and traumas such as brain injuries.
I belong to the Million Dollar Forum and National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
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