Full compensation for your car accident injuries includes compensation for your non-economic damages such as pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. Non-economic damages are also referred to as general damages. The noneconomic damages that you can recover will be very specific to your injuries and how they have affected your personally.
Proving the value of your pain and suffering requires the help of an experienced and highly skilled personal injury attorney who takes the time to get to know you and gain a full understanding of how your injuries have changed your life and the lives of your loved ones.
Noneconomic Damages
Economic damages, such as medical expenses and lost income, are easier to calculate. Noneconomic damages are the harms that cannot be directly tied to a dollar value. And they are typically the losses that truly mean more to accident victims and their families. Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Diminished quality of life
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Loss of consortium
Proving Your Non-Economic Damages
When it comes to noneconomic damages, a jury will not take just your word for it. Most personal injury claims settle out of court, but that doesn’t mean you can skimp on the evidence. The value of a settlement offer will depend on how strong the defendant believes you case is.
Evidence that may be used to prove your noneconomic damages includes:
- Your testimony
- Your journals detailing how your injuries have affected your life
- Testimony from family and friends, including your ex-spouse if your injuries led to the breakdown of your marriage
- Statements or testimony from your employer and coworkers
- Testimony from mental health professionals
- Before and after photos that show disfigurement or other physical changes
- Medical records
If you have been hurt in an auto accident, please contact an experienced auto accident attorney and schedule your free initial consultation right away.
