What Losses Can You Be Compensated For?
When you’re injured in a motor vehicle accident because of someone else’s carelessness or negligence, the bills can pile up quickly. You might be unable to work and meet your financial obligations, and you might experience significant pain and discomfort on a daily basis, making it difficult or impossible to do many of the things you love. What losses can you reasonably expect to be covered in a personal injury lawsuit?
Most damages available in a personal injury claim are known as “compensatory” damages—intended to compensate you for some identifiable loss. Compensatory damages can include “economic” damages, like loss of income, loss of the value of property, and unreimbursed medical expenses. These damages are measured by loss of revenue coming in or the required flow of money out. Other losses are “non-economic”—those that are less tangible, such as pain and suffering, loss of companionship or consortium, or loss of enjoyment of life (the ability to engage in activities that bring enjoyment).
To determine your economic damages, you’ll tally up your actual unreimbursed expenses, your lost wages or income, and any loss of value to property. Non-economic damages are much more difficult to determine:
- Some courts instruct juries to use their judgment to determine a “reasonable award.”
- Some courts use a “multiplier” approach, in which the amount of economic damages is multiplied by a factor, typically somewhere between one and ten.
Contact the Law Office of Howard D. Popper
For a free initial consultation to discuss your options after a motor vehicle accident, contact our office online or 973-993-8787 to set up anappointment. We have offices in Morristown and Newton. Currently, all our client communications are by phone, text message, or videoconference.
We handle all motor vehicle accident claims on a contingent fee basis. You won’t pay any attorney fees unless we recover damages for your losses.
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