One of the most common questions all clients have after an accident is how much in compensation will they get for their personal injury claim. Although the question is the same, the answer is usually different from case to case. The truth is we have to take many factors into account when determining how much your lawsuit is worth.
The Different Types of Damages for Personal Injury Claims
There are two types of damages one can receive from a personal injury claim:
Compensatory Damages – These damages are meant to compensate the plaintiff for what has been lost. For instance, you were severely injured in a car accident, keeping you out of commission for several months. Because the severity of your injury, you now have to deal with expensive medical bills and a loss of income. In addition, your car has been totaled.
Compensatory damages are meant to give back to you the money and property that you had lost in your auto accident. This means you can receive compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income
- Property loss
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment
- Loss of consortium
Punitive Damages – Punitive damages are awarded to a plaintiff as a form to punish the guilty party. So in the example above, after getting into the accident with you, the other driver decides to leave the scene before the police or emergency personnel can arrive. Since that driver’s behavior is considered extremely negligent, you may be able to receive punitive damages from him.
Remember that your role in the accident does play some part in the compensation you may receive in your personal injury lawsuit. For instance, if you are found to be equally responsible for the accident, you may receive less compensation.
Contact Us For a Free Consultation
If you’re not sure if it’s worth pursuing a personal injury claim, let us help you. Contact Jersey City personal injury attorney Anthony Carbone today for a free consultation.
