Another driver runs a red light, hits your car, and puts you in the hospital with serious injuries. Already, you know you may have a right to compensation for the instant medical bills that are accumulating. While that’s a good place to start, you should know that you might also be able to get compensation for losses that go far beyond those bills.
For instance, you could be disfigured after the wreck. While your injuries may heal, they could make it hard to get a job or keep your friends, and you could experience mental suffering and anguish as a result. Your life is drastically changed, you’re conscious of the way you look, and that’s going to last even after you get out of the hospital.
You may also have lost the ability to do some things that you loved. Maybe you were an avid piano player and hand injuries mean you’ll never play again. Maybe you loved mountain climbing and now just going for a walk in your neighborhood is a challenge.
Injuries can also lead to both lost wages and a diminished earning potential. If you were making $100,000 a year, expecting to have 20 more years of work ahead of you, you’ve lost a lot if you can never return to your job. Your injuries may heal and the medical bills may get paid, but that doesn’t mean your bank account looks as it should. This can have a profound impact on your standard of living, your retirement plans, the money you pass on to your heirs, and the like.
These are just three examples, and there are many other areas to consider for potential compensation. If you’d like to learn more about your options, our website can be quite informative. Remember that you may be entitled to more than just the direct, immediate costs.