If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, you may have the right to pursue compensation for various damages you suffered as a result. An experienced personal injury lawyer in San Antonio can identify the damages you can seek and fight for your fair recovery.
Categories of Damages in Personal Injury Cases
The damages awarded in a personal injury case are generally classified as general, special, or punitive. Together, General and special damages are known as compensatory damages because they are intended to compensate the victim for losses they suffered or are likely to suffer. The goal of a personal injury claim is to make the victim whole again after suffering in an accident.
Punitive damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer for particularly egregious behavior and deter similar conduct in the future. Punitive damages are not awarded in insurance claims, unlike economic and non-economic damages. Instead, they are only awarded by judges or juries.
What Are Special Damages?
Special damages are specific and unique to individual plaintiffs. They represent particular losses the accident victim has suffered. They are also economic and can be quantified by evaluating bills, receipts, invoices, and other objective evidence. Common examples of special damages include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Travel expenses
- Costs to repair or replace damaged property
- Funeral expenses or burial costs for a wrongful death
- Costs associated with a disability
- Out-of-pocket expenses
What Are General Damages?
General damages are those that are generally associated with an accident. Any accident victim will likely suffer these losses. Examples of general damages include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of consortium
How Much Is My Damage Claim Worth?
The full value of your personal injury case depends on the specific circumstances surrounding your claim. Individual factors that can affect your compensation include:
- The type of injuries you sustained
- How severe your injuries are
- The type and expense of medical treatment you received
- The type and expenses of medical treatment you will likely require in the future
- How much time did you miss from work
- How do your injuries affect your ability to work
- The receipts you have that show the specific out-of-pocket expenses you incurred because of the accident
- The full extent of your pain and suffering
- How well are your damages documented
- Who is responsible for your injuries, and their insurance coverage
- Whether you contributed to the accident
Insurance companies, judges, and juries can review your testimony and the evidence you submit to determine a fair value for your claim.
If you would like to know more about the potential value of your claim, work with an experienced San Antonio accident lawyer.
Contact George Salinas Injury Lawyers for a Free Case Evaluation
Identifying and quantifying all the damages you sustained as a result of an accident can be difficult. George Salinas Injury Lawyers can investigate your accident, gather documentation of your damages, and pursue full compensation from the at-fault party. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.