Types of Auto Accident Injuries and Compensation Available in Mississippi
All automobile accidents are different, and as a result, the extent of injuries suffered may vary. Often times, expenses and costs related to treatment of such injuries may not be covered by your insurance company, requiring you to consider additional litigation or negotiations. Among others, common injuries that are generally attempted to collect compensation for include:
- Fractured bones
- Spinal cord, neck and head injuries
- Cuts, bruises, burns and scarring
- Paralysis
- Permanent disability
Auto accident damages that are economic attempt to compensate the injured party for any monetary losses incurred. Common economic damages awarded in car accident lawsuits include the following:
- Medical Expenses. Medical expenses may include, but is not limited to fees for emergency room and hospital care, surgery, and appointments with medical care professionals. If you can show you will need continued medical care, you may also be awarded damages for the cost of your future medical expenses.
- Lost Wages. Injuries resulting from an automobile accident affecting wages you may have lost between your injury occurring and settling your claim may be recoverable. If you were unemployed at the time of the accident, there is a good likelihood you could receive damages for lost wages by proving your earning potential during this time period. Additionally, if you can show your ability to earn a living has been negatively affected and altered as a result of sustaining injuries from the accident compensation may be available to you. A jury will consider past wages in determining this award, as well as the amount you could have earned had the car accident not occurred in the first place.
Besides economic car accident damages, injured parties can also receive non-economic compensation for non-financial losses. Non-monetary losses are generally more difficult to assess. Such losses customarily include the following:
- Pain and Suffering. Pain and suffering includes monetary compensation for physical pain suffered resulting from injuries sustained in an auto accident. When awarding damages, a jury will take into consideration the nature and type of the injury, the duration of time the injured may be expected to suffer, and the scope of pain.
- Loss of Consortium. The uninjured spouse of a successful auto accident lawsuit may be able to recover damages for the loss of intimate marital benefits. When awarding such damages, a jury will usually examine the life expectancy of both partners, stability of the marriage, amount of companionship and care previously given to the uninjured spouse, and the extent to which marital benefits have been forsaken.
- Mental Anguish. An injured party from a car accident may also receive damages for emotional pain suffered. Mental distress damages compensate for grief, fright, destitution, anxiety, and other forms of emotional anguish caused by the trauma of the accident.
- Punitive Damages. In rare cases, when actions by the injuring party are so flagrant or malicious, a jury may charge the defendant with punitive damages. Such an award is designed to punish the party at fault, and deter similar types of behavior from occurring again.
If you have suffered a serious injury as a result of an auto accident, contact the Giddens Law Firm at 601-355-2022. We may be able to help you collect compensation beyond which is provided through insurance claims, ensure you receive full benefits from your insurance company, and determine whether or not you can file a claim for additional damages against the other party at fault.
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