Personal Injury Compensation: What's In It For You?
If you are suffering from injuries caused by a careless driver, you might be owed compensation. After a car accident, what victims are owed varies depending on several factors. Many victims are unaware of what might make up their compensation, so read on and see the breakdown of compensation.
Medical Treatment Costs
If the accident was not your fault, you may be entitled to have all your medical expenses covered. Bills for treatment caused by the accident that are delivered to your home should be taken to your personal injury lawyer's office. Keep up with all medical paperwork, including test results and more. It's a good idea to keep a running total of your medical costs charged, if possible.
Psychological Trauma
Some states allow victims to file for mental trauma, but you must have physical injuries as well in most cases. This form of personal injury damage is known as pain and suffering and covers all the misery, discomfort, and mental stress that can occur because of being injured in an auto accident. The best way to ensure you are paid for this form of damage is to keep a pain journal in which you write about your struggles to cope with your present situation. Almost all accident victims suffer from some level of pain and suffering. In general, the higher your medical bills, the more you may be paid for that form of damage.
Future Medical Treatment
In many cases, victims settle their case before they are completely healed from their injuries. Your lawyer will want you to wait until you reach a plateau of healing known as maximum medical improvement (MMI) before you agree to a settlement. That means you will have a good idea of what additional treatments you may need to undergo. MMI is established by a special examination.
Personal Property
Your wrecked vehicle is another loss that you should be compensated for after an accident. It can be repaired, if possible, or you may be paid a check to cover its value. If you are not offered enough to cover your auto loan, however, you may need to act against the insurer for compensation.
Lost Wages
The time you lost from work can be reimbursed to you. Keep up with your time off and give the information to your lawyer. This expense should be reimbursed dollar for dollar.
Speak to a motor vehicle accident lawyer to find out more.