There is more than one type of injury after a car accident. Physical and psychological injuries are both considered when it comes to suing for damages. People file personal injury lawsuits when they feel like they have no other means to obtain the compensation they need for the losses they suffered. Many insurance companies offer settlements, but not every offer will be enough to cover the costs of medical expenses, long-term medical care, and lost wages. Talk to a Tennessee auto accident lawyer today if you were hit by a negligent driver.
Specific Types of Damages
Specific damages are the types of compensatory damages that can be calculated objectively with documents. Physical injuries, lost wages, and vehicle damages all fit this category. Injuries can be calculated to specific values with a copy of your medical bills. You may also be required to present a copy of your medical records that describe what types of physical injuries you suffered.
Lost wages include income you lost during your recovery and potential income you could lose due to the severity of your injuries. Some injuries, like head trauma or amputation, can put people out of a certain job position for the rest of their life. Your lawyer will look for evidence for financial losses from work and medical expenses that are only related to the car accident. Evidence of lost income from work can be found in invoices, but proving that future wages will be lost may be more challenging.
To do this, your lawyer will need to explain how your injury affects your ability to work. This means describing the demands of the job and your physical or mental limitations after the accident.
Psychological Damages
General damages account for psychological damages like emotional distress, damaged relationships, and loss of enjoyment of life. Pain and suffering is the most common type of damage that people file claims for and describes feelings of anger, depression, or anxiety as a result of the accident. The onset of mental disorders describes emotional distress. Proving this may require a diagnosis from a psychologist with therapist notes or bills.
Testimony is commonly used to prove pain and suffering in court. This includes testimonies by a psychologist, the plaintiff, or support fact witnesses. The physical pain that causes distress can be proven by medical records or doctor’s notes.
Proving broken relationships or loss of enjoyment of life also requires testimony by the plaintiff and other witnesses who know the plaintiff like family members or friends. These damages are most often rewarded for people with long-term injuries that have significantly changed a person’s original lifestyle.
