A personal injury can happen in an instant, and drastically change the way you live your life. Wounds from a dog bite to a car accident all cause different types of consequences to a victim. When victims are pursuing compensation for these consequences, they need to know precisely what they deserve from their settlement.
Negotiating for compensation is difficult, but not impossible. Information is one of the best tools in negotiations, so why not start with identifying the types of personal injury compensation you deserve?
The full cost of an injury
Victims of personal injury often assume that the only cost of their injury is medical expenses. There are many different things that a victim likely deserves compensation for, such as:
- Total medical expenses – it is easy to only look at the initial consequences of an accident and forget about what costs may come later. Medical expenses compensation should reflect both the current and future costs of medical bills like physical therapy, future surgeries, and prescriptions.
- Lost income – every day that a victim is not at their job earning income is another day taken from their paycheck. The at-fault party should also be liable for the cost of the revenue their victim missed out on as a result of their injuries.
- Quality of life – an injury that results in paralysis or other disabilities doesn’t just keep a victim from being able to walk or stand without assistance. Major injuries also deny victims future experiences and call for significant changes to a lifestyle to accommodate their injuries. The responsible party should compensate the victim for denying them future experiences and the costs of adapting to a new lifestyle.
- Property damage – any property that a liable party destroyed should be replaced by that party. Victims should not suffer increased insurance premiums because the responsible party did not take responsibility for damaging a vehicle.
Insurance companies can be quick to offer a fast settlement to a victim. Do not make the mistake of accepting this settlement without consulting with an attorney first. Lawyers know what you deserve for your injury, and they know how to get it. You do not have to accept a lowball offer that leaves you covering most of your expenses after your personal injury.