The truth is, if you leave something out of your personal injury claim, you're essentially agreeing to cover those costs yourself. And let's be honest, that can get expensive for you.
You only get one shot at recovering damages for your injuries. There’s no going back if you settle your claim and then realize you forgot to include some important losses.
So it’s necessary that you take your time to think about everything you’ve lost and make sure it’s all accounted for.
Medical Bills
The hospital and doctor bills are the first thing that comes to mind. But you should think past them. What about the ongoing care? You might need physical therapy, prescription medication, or even in-home care if your injuries are really bad.
All of that counts, you know? And it doesn't matter if you're still getting bills after you file your claim; if they're a result of the accident, they're part of your compensation.
If you overlook these long-term costs, it could come back to haunt you. Imagine settling a claim and then realizing you still need months or even years of treatment. That's money that you'll have to pay out of pocket, and it could have been covered if you'd included it in your claim from the beginning.
Lost Wages
You already know that you can claim lost wages, right? If you had to take time off work because of your injuries, you're entitled to that money. But it's not just about the paychecks you've already missed. What if your injuries are so bad that you can't go back to work for a while, or even ever?
And you can't possibly forget about any benefits you might be missing out on, like bonuses, retirement contributions, or even promotions you could have earned if you were able to continue working.
Your lawyer will work with you to ensure that you fully consider your future earning potential when you come up with a figure for compensation.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering is one of those things that's hard to explain unless you've been through it, and since you're here, you probably know the full extent of it.
It's not just about the physical pain, even though that's definitely part of it. It's the emotional and psychological toll, too. Maybe you're having trouble sleeping, or you're feeling anxious or depressed because your whole life has been turned upside down. Maybe you've lost the ability to enjoy the things you used to love.
The law recognizes this, which is why you can include compensation for pain and suffering in your claim. If you don't, though, you're essentially saying that all of that doesn't matter, and that's not true, is it?
Property Damage
If your accident involved a car, you're probably dealing with repairs or maybe even a total loss. That's definitely something to include in your claim, but it doesn't end there.
Think about everything else that was damaged in the accident, like your phone, your laptop, or anything else of value that might have been in your car or on you. All of that counts, and it should be included.
Overlooking such property damage could actually leave you scrambling to replace things you need. If the accident wasn't your fault, why should you be the one footing the bill to replace everything?
Do You Have the Support of the Law to Include Everything?
You might be wondering: why am I entitled to all of this? Why does the law support me when it comes to these losses? Well, it's simple. The law is all about fairness, and if someone else's carelessness caused you harm, you shouldn't be the one to suffer financially because of it.
When you file a claim, the goal is to make you whole again, as much as possible. Obviously, nothing can undo the accident or make the pain disappear overnight, but you shouldn't have to pay out of pocket for something that wasn't your fault.
That's why the law allows you to claim for things like medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and even pain and suffering.
The legal system is designed to protect you, and it gives you the tools you need to recover from your losses. But it's up to you to make sure you include everything in your claim.
The courts can't compensate you for losses you don't tell them about, and insurance companies certainly aren't going to offer more than you ask for. So ask!
