As you make your way to work, you hear the sound of screeching tires followed by a large boom and the sound of twisting steel. Then, you begin to feel pain throughout your body. You have just become the victim of a motor vehicle accident.
A car accident in Louisiana can easily deprive you of your peace of mind, in addition to causing you physical discomfort and financial challenges. However, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries if another motorist’s negligence led to your accident injuries. Here is a rundown of the types of damages you may wish to seek in this situation.
Medical costs
In a motor vehicle accident, your injuries might range from a few small cuts to paralysis or another type of permanent disability. Medical expenses following a car crash may include the following:
- Ambulance fees
- Cognitive therapy for brain injuries
- Physical therapy
- Health care expert consultations
- Heat pads, crutches and other accessories
- In-home care or services
In some cases, you might not experience symptoms at first but then end up developing them over time. For this reason, undergoing a comprehensive medical exam following your accident is critical if you feel you have suffered an injury.
Lost wages
A car accident stemming from another driver’s carelessness may also lead to the loss of your ability to earn money. For instance, perhaps you have to miss work to complete physical therapy or to spend time in the hospital. Other reasons you may lose wages include not being mobile enough to return to your job, particularly if it is a physical job. If you can prove that your injuries have diminished or impaired your capacity to earn an income in the future, you may receive damages for your lost wages.
Pain and suffering
This term essentially refers to physical or mental distress. The damages for pain and suffering that you may receive in a claim are based on how serious your injuries were, your injury type and how much pain doctors anticipate you will experience in the future as a result of your injuries.
Pain and suffering could also include emotional and/or mental damage suffered as a result of the car accident caused by a negligent motorist — for example, stress or anxiety. You have the right to pursue the maximum amount of damages possible given the circumstances surrounding the crash that caused your injuries.