Calculating damages in a New Jersey car accident isn't always easy. If you've been hurt in a car accident, your losses include medical costs and lost wages, as well as related costs. However, it's difficult to calculate an accurate number, especially if you are still undergoing treatment. You may even have to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit to get compensation for your losses if the accident was the result of someone else's carelessness or recklessness.
In a situation where you may be receiving ongoing medical care, you can seek damages for future losses. If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries, where you may need long-term care and/or are unable to return to work, future damages are usually awarded.
We will discuss how damages should be calculated in a NJ car accident case. However, if you have been in an accident, please discuss the details of your case with a qualified NJ car accident lawyer. Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law can help you determine damages in your case and help you get them.
Damages in a NJ Car Accident
Medical Costs
Your medical costs will probably increase if your injuries are more serious, and you may require ongoing medical treatments, such as in-home care, surgeries, rehab or physical therapy. The total value of your car accident claim can rise dramatically with the addition of future medical expenses.
Typical medical costs includes as part of future damages are:
- Future rehabilitation costs
- Future in-home care costs
- Future nursing home costs
- Future medical care
- Home or vehicle modifications
- Cost of domestic services you can no longer perform yourself
Before the entire value of your claim can be determined, it is important to reach maximum medical improvement (MMI) when filing a claim. To make sure you will have enough money to pay for your future expenses, you want to know what to anticipate in the future.
Lost Wages
Your personal injury claim may also include lost income or lost future earnings in the event that your injuries are permanent and prevent you from returning to work. This kind of compensation is an estimate of your future earnings and benefits.
You could also be eligible to receive compensation for the gap between what you make now and what you could have made before the accident if you are able to work but not in the same position or capacity. Factors such as future earning capacity are taken into account, as well as:
- Salary
- Commission
- Annual Bonuses
- Employee benefits
Life Expectancy and Age
Your age will affect the claim's value when future medical costs and earning potential are added. An elderly individual nearing retirement age, for example, might not have lost as much earning potential because they would have retired after a few years. A young individual in the peak of their career could lose decades' worth of income and benefits, which would impact a personal injury claim drastically.
In terms of health, a younger person might be able to recover from injuries faster than an older one. Therefore, the value of the claim may be impacted by the fact that an older individual may require comparatively more future medical treatment than a younger person.
How to Calculate Future Damages
It can be difficult to estimate your future damages based on these aforementioned variables. Based on pay stubs, you might be able to calculate lost income, but you won't have a clear idea of what your potential long-term earnings are. Estimating medical costs might also be difficult. This is why retaining a New Jersey personal injury lawyer is recommended if you have suffered a major injury in order to optimize the worth of your claim.
NJ Car Accident Lawyer: Brandon J. Broderick
Working with a NJ car accident lawyer can make all the difference if you have suffered a serious injury as a result of someone else's negligence. Our team can help you determine exactly what your damages are and how to get them successfully.
For a free consultation, contact us today to schedule an appointment.