You never saw the other vehicle coming. The last thing you remember about your day was getting into your vehicle that morning. You don’t remember the crash that resulted in your car being totaled. You don’t remember going into surgery or getting pins in your legs.
Now that you have woken up and know your situation, you’re questioning what you have to do to get better. You know you can file a lawsuit against the driver who struck you or obtain compensation through a settlement, but how much do you need? What do you need for the future?
These are important questions to ask. Here are a few things to consider after you get into a crash.
1. Medical expenses
First, you’ll need to collect and submit your medical expenses to the insurance company. All your medical expenses should be covered between the company’s insurance and your own health insurance. If something isn’t covered, hold on to your receipts, so you can file a claim for that item later.
2. Lost wages
Another important part of your claim should include your lost wages. If you’ve missed a year of work and make a salary of $50,000, then that should be compensated for in your settlement. Keep in mind how much work you missed in the past as well as how often you may have to miss work in the future because of your injuries.
3. Future medical expenses
Another thing to keep in mind is that you may have future medical expenses related to this injury. You can seek compensation that covers those potential expenses, even if they’re not accrued yet. You may wish to speak with your medical provider, the hospital and your attorney about common amounts needed for ongoing care in cases like yours. It’s hard to predict exactly what you’ll need, but it’s possible to make an educated guess.
4. Non-economic damages
One last thing to request is based on what you’ve lost personally. Non-economic damages aren’t based on financial losses. Instead, they look at losses such as the loss of companionship or a loss of enjoyment of life. As a victim, the courts believe you should receive compensation for the pain and suffering you’ve been put through because of the other driver’s negligence. This payment comes in the form of non-economic damages.
These are not all the possible losses you can claim for, but they’re a good start. Remember to include these when you seek a settlement.