When a victim is injured in an accident caused by another party’s negligence, it is often not just the victim who is affected. In addition to their own pain, suffering, and other losses, family members are often faced with additional burdens, including family and household tasks and financial issues. Depending on the circumstances of the accident and the extent of the injuries, a victim’s spouse may also be entitled to financial damages in any personal injury lawsuit or claim filed.
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The cost of even a minor accident can be financially difficult for a victim, but when their injuries result in serious injuries, medical expenses, loss of income, and other losses can be overwhelming. According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the total costs of injuries from a car accident can result in more than $50,000, all the way up to $1 million or more for more serious accidents. Some of the common expenses accident victims face include:
- Ongoing medical expenses
- Present and future lost income and benefits
- Transportation costs going to and from medical treatments
- Costs to cover the loss of the ability to do the tasks the victim can no longer do, such as household tasks
- Costs to cover the loss of the ability to enjoy the activities the victim is no longer able to do, such as hobbies and recreational activities
A victim’s spouse also can be impacted by the victim’s injuries and the inability to do the things they could before the accident. For example, if the victim is unable to work, there is loss of income that could mean that the spouse needs to work longer hours or get a second job in order to help make up for this financial loss. In cases where the victim is severely injured, the spouse may be required to take care of their medical and physical needs, no longer able to enjoy the activities the couple used to enjoy before the accident.
North Carolina law allows spouses to pursue financial compensation for noneconomic damages. These damages are referred to as loss of consortium. Some of these losses include:
- Emotional anguish the spouse deals with because of the victim’s injuries
- The stress and responsibility of providing care for the victim and the increases burdens they now must deal with
- The loss of companionship and life enjoyment because the victim is no longer able to engage in the activities the family enjoyed prior to the accident
Contact Our North Carolina Accident Attorneys Today for Help
If your spouse has been injured in an accident by another party and they have suffered long-term or permanent injuries, you may be entitled to damages in a personal injury claim. Contact a North Carolina personal injury attorney from Shapiro & Appleton to request a free and confidential case evaluation. Our legal team will work diligently to get your family the financial compensation you deserve.