After being injured in a Virginia personal injury accident, you may decide to seek financial compensation through an insurance claim. It is important to have documentation and evidence to support your case. No matter what amount of money you are hoping to recover, you are going to have to be able to prove the damages the accident caused you.
What future damages am I eligible for after my Virginia personal injury accident?
Proving how much financial compensation you are entitled to for past damages is fairly simple. For example, submitting a copy of your medical records will confirm how much you amassed in medical bills. Calculating future damages, however, is much more challenging. An estimate will have to be provided since you will not have any documentation that shows the exact cost of the medical treatments, lost income, and other damages you have not yet incurred.
The Virginia Beach personal injury attorneys at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp consistently help their personal injury clients secure the maximum amount of financial compensation for their damages. Schedule your free consultation by calling (833) 997-1774 or via the contact form on our website.
How Are Future Damages Defined?
Future damages are compensation for any losses you anticipate sustaining in the future because of your injury. For instance, if an auto accident leaves you with a lifelong handicap, you will probably need household help and regular, ongoing physical therapy. The expenses associated with both of these are examples of future damages.
Car accidents and other personal injury cases often produce multiple kinds of future damages.
Medical Expenses
Following personal injury accidents, medical treatment is almost always necessary. If the injuries are permanent or severe, they could necessitate future care. Some common future medical costs include:
- Occupational or physical therapy
- Surgeries
- Chiropractic care
- Prescription medications
- Extended hospital stays
- Psychological services
- Home carers
- Medical appliances
Diminished/Lost Earning Capacity
The more serious an injury is, the more likely it is to keep you from returning to work. Whether you are unable to go back to work for several months, are no longer able to perform your previous job, or are no longer able to maintain employment at all, you are most likely eligible to pursue financial compensation for your diminished or lost earning capacity.
Diminished or lost earning capacity refers to the future income you will be unable to earn because of your injury. This may include:
- Hourly wages/Yearly salary
- Bonuses
- Commissions
- Paid time off, such as sick days and personal days
- Pay rises
- IRA or other account contributions
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering are intangible damages. Physical pain and emotional suffering are very real impacts that an injury can have on a victim’s physical and mental health. Some physical injuries result in minor aches and pains that subside once the injury is healed. Permanent injuries can cause chronic pain that a victim will have to deal with for the rest of their life.
Emotional suffering is the emotional or psychological trauma that the accident caused. Common examples of this include:
- Depression
- Emotional anguish
- Anger
- Insomnia
- Fear
- Anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Decreased quality of life
How Are Future Damages Totaled After a Virginia Personal Injury Accident?
Due to the fact that some damages, such as pain and suffering, are subjective, determining a precise figure can be hard to do. Coming up with a fair estimate of a personal injury victim’s future damages is not a straightforward process. While you might feel that you deserve a certain amount for these damages, the insurance carrier is probably going to disagree.
Generally speaking, the specifics of your case are what will determine which future damages you are eligible to obtain. These specifics include your necessary medical costs, life expectancy, and current employment status. Acquiring the appropriate documents is vital to the correct estimation of your future damages.
For instance, if you sustained a permanent injury and will require ongoing physical rehabilitation, you could ask your doctor for an estimate. Your doctor can include the kind of treatment you need, the cost of each visit, and how long you are going to need these treatments.
Do I Need an Attorney?
No, you do not need an attorney but bear in mind that working with one will benefit your case immensely. Without the assistance of an experienced legal team, you will probably be forced to settle for a lot less compensation than you need and deserve.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
If you wish to pursue legal action after your Virginia personal injury accident, our attorneys can help. Call the Virginia Beach personal injury lawyers at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp at (833) 997-1774 and schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. We will review the facts of your case and determine what damages you could be entitled to.