If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident in New Orleans, you may sustain physical injuries. In addition to the physical injuries, you may also incur a variety of financial costs related to the accident. The cost of a motor vehicle accident in New Orleans depends on several factors, including the severity of your physical injuries, the amount of damage to your vehicle, and whether you were at fault for the crash. Let’s look at some of the costs of a car accident more closely.
Physical Injuries
Physical injuries can range from bumps and bruises to life-threatening conditions. Some of the common car accident injuries include:
- Lacerations and cuts
- Broken bones and fractures
- Head injuries
- Brain injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Neck and shoulder injuries
- Back injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Internal organ damage
Fortunately, many accident victims make a full recovery after a traffic accident. However, some individuals are not as fortunate. A motor vehicle accident can change a person’s life forever. A permanent impairment or disability can prevent a person from returning to work or enjoying the same quality of life as the person did before the accident.
Financial Losses and Expenses
The financial losses and expenses associated with a traffic accident vary depending on numerous factors. In most cases, financial damages are greater in accidents that involve traumatic or catastrophic injuries. Examples of catastrophic and traumatic injuries include:
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Paralysis
- Severe Burns
- Amputations
- Multiple Fractures
- Internal Organ Damage
- Death
In these cases, the financial losses and expenses can be substantial. It costs more to treat the victim’s injuries, and the victim is likely to lose a substantial amount of income during his or her recovery. In the event of a permanent disability, the loss of income could total millions of dollars over the person’s lifetime.
Examples of financial damages in a motor vehicle accident case include:
- The cost of medical treatment and personal care
- Medications and medical supplies
- Travel expenses to and from doctor’s visits
- Loss of income
- Property damage
- Future damages, such as the cost of ongoing medical care and personal care and future loss of income
Documenting financial damages carefully is very important in a car accident case. You must have documentation and proof of financial losses and expenses to receive compensation from the party who caused the accident.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering include the physical discomfort caused by the injuries sustained in the car accident. It also includes mental and emotional distress and anguish suffered by the accident victim because of the accident. A victim may also receive compensation for scarring and permanent impairments sustained because of the accident.
Pain and suffering damages are difficult to document because they are subjective. An attorney who understands personal injury law and who has experience handling car accident claims understands how to calculate the value of this portion of the accident claim.
Contact a New Orleans Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney for Help
If you have been injured in a traffic accident, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages. Learn more about car accident claims from Attorney Fred Olinde of The Olinde Firm.
Contact our office at (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889 to schedule a free legal consultation with Attorney Olinde or another one of our New Orleans motor vehicle accident attorneys.