Identifying Your Damages in a Car Accident Lawsuit

Car accidents are among the most common reasons for Maryland residents to pursue civil lawsuits. Most times, these lawsuits are filed because of something more serious than the run-of-the-mill fender-bender. Serious car accidents that cause major property damage and severe injuries can also lead to contentious personal injury cases. But, in the end, the plaintiff is seeking to recover financial compensation – known as the damages element of a personal injury lawsuit.

Identifying damages

Damages consist of the losses you have suffered as a result of your injuries. Some of these losses can be easy to identify. You may have invoices from repair shops for the damage to your vehicle, or even help from your insurance company to identify the amounts if your vehicle was totaled in the accident. Medical bills are easy to add up too – and those bills can stack up fast.

But, what if your injuries are so severe that you will need medical treatment for months or even years to come? What if you will never fully recover? How has your quality of life been impacted by the injuries you suffered in the car accident? How much income did you lose from missed work due to the injuries and subsequent need for medical treatment? These questions, among many others, could also play a role in determining the amount of damages you seek in a personal injury lawsuit.

Our readers shouldn’t forget that the damages portion of a personal injury lawsuit must be proven as well – just like proving the negligence or recklessness of the party that caused the accident. The damages in your personal injury case must be identifiable and provable.