When you are injured in a car accident that was not your fault, the road to recovery can be horrific. There will be initial treatment and possible long-term care, leading to expensive medical bills. Plus, you may not be able to work. An experienced personal injury attorney will fight for your legal remedies under Maryland law, but you may have questions about how much money you could recover. While the exact amount will depend on the specifics of your case, the issue centers on "damages," i.e., the financial, physical and emotional impact on your life. The legal concept of damages breaks down into different categories.
Medical Costs: You will receive bills from various healthcare providers that offered treatment and ongoing care after your car accident, including first responders at the scene of the collision, hospital staff and any specialty physicians. If you have surgery or physical therapy, you will be billed for these services as well. All the medical costs you incur during your recovery are included in your damages. Your personal injury attorney will seek compensation for all these amounts, whether in court or during settlement negotiations.
Pain and Suffering: The traumatic pain you suffer after a car accident will linger for days, weeks – even months. You may be entitled to damages for such distresses as being unable to sleep, participate in routine activities, or chronic soreness. The amount you may receive from pain and suffering is more difficult to quantify than the concrete numbers on your medical bills. This is why it is so critical to retain a personal injury attorney in Baltimore County, who has knowledge of the laws regarding compensations for damages.
Loss of Income: After a car accident, you may not be able to work for a period of time due to your injuries. Severe accidents can even leave you away from your job for several months. You will not receive your regular paycheck and other benefits, resulting in a loss of income that will also be included in your damages.
Calculating your loss of income is as simple as referring to your pay stub for the time you were out of work. However, you may also be entitled to compensation if your injuries prevent you from returning to your profession, or if you return to work in a limited capacity. The concept of damages for future income is much more complicated, as it requires forecasting to determine the income you would receive if the incident never occurred. A car accident attorney knowledgeable in the laws of Baltimore County, Maryland will pursue all lost wages to ensure you receive full compensation.
As you can see, calculating damages in a Maryland car accident case is quite complex and there is no one formula for determining the amount. Only a qualified personal injury attorney has the background and experience to ensure you receive full compensation for your losses. Please contact Baltimore County lawyer Michael A. Freedman for more information on damages or to schedule a free consultation.
