Different Types of Personal Injury Damages in Atlanta

Personal injury is a serious matter that can affect your life forever. If you've been injured in a car accident, you may be wondering how much money you can recover for your medical expenses. The short answer is it all depends on the extent of your injuries. In this article, we'll discuss the different types of damages that may be available to you and how an Atlanta personal injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve.

What is a Personal Injury Case?

A personal injury case is a legal dispute that arises when one person is injured by another. The injured person, known as the plaintiff, can file a lawsuit against the other person, known as the defendant, to recover damages. The plaintiff must prove that the defendant was at fault for the accident to succeed in a personal injury case. Then, the plaintiff must also prove that the injuries were caused by the accident so that the defendant can be held liable.

What Are the Different Types of Damages?

There are two main types of damages in a personal injury case: Compensatory damages and Punitive damages. Compensatory damages are intended to make the plaintiff whole again by providing financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and other losses. Punitive damages are awarded to punish the defendant for particularly egregious behavior such as drunk driving.

Compensatory Damages

Compensatory damages are intended to make the injured victim "whole again." This means that they are designed to reimburse the victim for all financial losses incurred as a result of the accident. These can include:

Medical expenses: This includes any past or future medical bills related to the accident, such as hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and medication.
Lost wages: If the accident caused you to miss work, you can recover your lost wages. This also includes any future earnings that you may have lost because of the accident.
Property damage: If the accident caused damage to your personal property, such as your car, you can recover the cost of repairs or replacement.Pain and suffering: This is a type of non-economic damage that compensates you for the physical pain and emotional suffering that you've endured because of the accident.
Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering damages are intended to reimburse the victim for the physical and emotional pain and suffering caused by the accident. These can be both physical and mental injuries.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are sometimes awarded in personal injury cases, but they are not intended to compensate the victim. Instead, they are designed to punish the defendant for their negligent or intentional wrongdoing. To recover punitive damages, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant's actions were particularly egregious.

Punitive damages can be awarded in addition to compensatory damages, but they are not available in every case.

Non Compensatory Damages

Non-compensatory damages are awarded in cases where the injury was so severe that no amount of money can make the victim whole again. These damages are meant to punish the at-fault party for their negligence and serve as a deterrent for future accidents.

Mental anguish and emotional distress: are often used interchangeably. Mental anguish refers to the psychological stress and trauma caused by the accident. This can include things like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Emotional distress, on the other hand, is a type of mental anguish that is characterized by physical symptoms. These can include insomnia, nausea, and headaches.
Loss of Consortium: is intended to compensate the victim's spouse for the loss of their companionship and support. This can be particularly difficult to quantify but is often seen as one of the most important types of damages in a personal injury case.
Emotional damages: is more difficult to assign a dollar value to because they are more subjective. However, they can be just as, if not more, important than other types of damage. If you've been injured in an accident, it's important to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you recover the compensation you deserve.

No two personal injury cases are alike, so it's impossible to say exactly how much you can expect to recover. However, an experienced lawyer will fight for the full compensation you deserve. If you've been injured in an accident, contact a personal injury lawyer today for a free consultation.

How to Maximize Your Injury Compensation

There are a few things you can do to help maximize your injury compensation. First, it's important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after the accident. This will not only ensure that you get the treatment you need but will also create a record of your injuries. It's also important to keep track of any expenses you incur as a result of the accident, such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Keep all receipts and records in a safe place. Finally, it's important to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you recover the compensation you deserve.

How to Calculate Damages

The first step in calculating damages is to determine the nature and extent of the injury. This includes medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Once the injury has been established, the next step is to calculate pain and suffering damages. These are more difficult to quantify but can be just as important as other types of damage. An experienced personal injury lawyer will know how to calculate these damages and fight for the full compensation you deserve. It's important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after the accident.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Settlement?

The length of time it takes to get a settlement depends on several factors, including the severity of the injury, the insurance company's willingness to cooperate, and the strength of the evidence. However, an experienced personal injury lawyer will fight to get you the settlement you deserve as quickly as possible. Having a lawyer on your side will give you the best chance of a successful outcome.

Experienced Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer

If you've been injured in an accident, it's important to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you recover the compensation you deserve. The Atlanta personal injury lawyers at Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys have extensive experience handling all types of personal injury cases, from car accidents to slip and fall accidents. We will work tirelessly to get you the settlement you deserve.

Alexander Shunnarah in Atlanta has a proven track record of success in personal injury cases, and our team is prepared to fight for you. We also offer a free consultation so that you can learn more about your legal rights and options without any obligation. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.