If you want to file a personal injury claim after suffering from an injury because of an accident, you may want to know how to calculate the damage you want to recover. A Wyoming personal injury lawyer looks at various kinds of damages you can be awarded and the factors that can impact the amount you can receive.
A successful personal injury claim leads to a settlement. In this case, both parties involved agree to settle the case amongst themselves. Thus, the at-fault party agrees to pay the victim. If the case goes to trial, the verdict determines the liability of the defendant and the amount the plaintiff can get. Wherever your claim ends, it can include several kinds of damages, including the following:
Economic Damages
These damages are meant to compensate you for your financial losses because of your injuries. They have a specific dollar value and usually include medical bills, property damage, and lost wages. Calculating these damages can be easy since there is often a record of the expenses you incurred.
Non-Economic Damages
These damages compensate you for your non-financial losses. They include pain and suffering, loss of life enjoyment, mental anguish, and emotional distress. These damages are not easy to quantify, but your attorney knows how to assign a specific value to them.
Depending on the seriousness of your injuries and how long they will affect your life, you can be awarded damages for months, years, or for the rest of your life. If you are young and have suffered a life-changing injury like being permanently paralyzed or losing a limb, you may be able to recover significant non-economic damages.
Punitive Damages
These damages are available when your case goes to trial. The jury will decide how much punitive damages they will award you if it applies to your case. Punitive damages are meant to punish the negligent party for their actions. Sometimes, they can be awarded to send a message and prevent others from behaving the way the defendant did. The damages are often awarded when the actions of the defendant were especially egregious, like being behind the wheel while intoxicated. Calculating punitive damages can be hard since there’s no specific formula to follow. These damages do not usually apply to personal injury claims, as the majority of claims are settled without going to court. But as an injured victim, you can always decide to take your case to court if the insurance company refuses to pay you the compensation you are entitled to.