“Damages” is a legal term that refers to the compensation for types of expenses and injuries you have incurred in your personal injury claim. The courts will award you damages when you prove that someone else’s negligence is a direct cause of your injuries. Typically, most personal injury cases deal with car accidents.
After suffering major setbacks in a serious accident, you likely have questions about how you’re going to recover compensation. Here are the 5 top questions that our San Diego personal injury attorneys receive when it comes to personal injury damages:
Question #1 – What types of damages can you recover?
In California, you have two types of damages: economic and non-economic damages. With economic damages, the costs deal with quantifiable losses, such as medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and more. Non-economic damages are intangible costs, such as emotional suffering, low quality of life, and permanent disabilities.
Question #2 – How will your attorney calculate the compensation you can claim?
The personal injury damages that you can recover will come down to the circumstance of your case and the scope of the accident. The most significant factors in calculating the worth of your claim include:
- The severity of your injuries
- Overall medical costs
- Permanent disability and disfigurement
- Loss of wages (and potential future earnings)
- Emotional trauma suffered from the accident
- Future medical costs
Your attorney will need to review the facts of your case before they can calculate the damages. If your injuries are serious, your attorney will also seek opinions from your doctors. Before putting a price tag on your case, it’s essential to examine all the details associated with your claim.
View this post on Instagram
Question #3 – How long does it take to recover personal injury damages?
Each case is unique, and the timeline will always vary when it comes to recovering compensation. Depending on the complexities of your claim, settlement negotiations can drag on for a while. Many attorneys will also suggest that your physician submits a final report of your injuries and prognosis for a full recovery, which can also take some time to complete.
Question #4 – How do you maximize the total worth of your claim?
The best way to maximize your claim is to present strong evidence and understand the different categories of personal injury damages. Your attorney will carefully prepare their findings and deal with the insurance companies accordingly on your behalf. Their job is to adhere to the law and do everything correctly from a procedural standpoint.
Question #5 – Is it necessary to hire an attorney?
To claim all of the personal injury damages you deserve, you’ll should consider hiring an attorney to handle your case. The insurance adjusters will often offer you a settlement that comes up short of the compensation that’ll cover all the damages. You also have to follow several legal formalities, and if you overlook one minor detail, you could potentially jeopardize your claim.
Do you have any questions about pursuing a personal injury claim? The legal experts here at HHJ Trial Attorneys in San Diego can provide you with answers. Schedule a consultation with us today, and we can immediately begin reviewing the details of your case.
Testimonial from Crystal, Satisfied Personal Injury Client
We had the best experience with HHJ Attorneys; specifically Adam Hepburn. He was great at communicating and answering any questions we had from the beginning and all the way to the day of court where he went above and beyond to make sure we knew exactly how to proceed after. I would highly recommend this law firm, they really make you feel like you are not just another client and are very personable, knowledgeable and responsive.
