Damages For Accident Victims with Permanent Injuries
There are two common kinds of permanent injuries – disfigurement and amputation. Victims generally face significant emotional anguish and pain related to either of these permanent injuries: amputation and disfigurement.
Disfigurement can affect any part of the body following a car collision. It usually affects the face or a visible extremity. Burn injuries are among the top reasons for disfigurement. However, they can also be the result of caught-in-between accidents, struck-by incidents, and other forms of trauma.
Amputation involves the removal of an extremity or limb. This can be portions of the hands or feet, such as toes or fingers. It can also involve removing entire limbs.
You should note that permanent injuries don’t always refer to a physical condition. For instance, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be a permanent disorder.
In either case, victims suffer extensive injuries and have one or more of their body parts damaged beyond repair. They face difficulty in continuing with the same lifestyle, operating a motor vehicle, and returning to work among a number of other functions.
Economic/Special Damages Awarded to Car Accident Victims in Alabama
Economic damages are the most straightforward damages awarded to personal injury victims with permanent disabilities. These include measurable costs that are directly linked to the accident and resulting injury, such as:
Medical expenses
It is common for victims and their families to rack up debt following an accident from ER expenses, ambulance trips, medications, surgical procedures, and follow-up visits. The jury award or settlement that you receive should be adequate to cover all these expenses. Further, they should also pay for any future medical care you would require.
Physical therapy
Depending on your injury, you may require physical therapy for life. Costs can add up quickly if an accident leaves you needing rehabilitative therapy for helping your muscles heal and for relearning basic life skills. Most care providers require multiple weekly visits. These expenses need to be covered by the settlement.
Loss of income
You should account for lost income (present and future). It may not be possible for you to resume work in the same capacity with the permanent nature of your injuries. Serious and long-term accidents usually eliminate the ability to work.
Property damage
You can include the cost of property damage as a result of the accident in the settlement claim.
General or Non-Economic Damages for the Injured Victim
There are certain losses that are difficult to assess beyond the easily calculated and more obvious damages. These are:
Pain and suffering
Permanent injuries involve a lot of pain and suffering. You can seek compensation for this under noneconomic damages. It would take a capable personal injury attorney to paint a true reflection of your pain and suffering following the car accident.
Impairment and disfigurement
You are entitled to additional compensation in case of permanent injury. This award is to compensate for the loss of limbs, permanent loss of senses, and any other bodily changes. This award is provided to victims that have permanent restrictions on their activities and movements because of the accident.
Mental anguish
Anxiety, depression, and PTSD are common in victims following an accident. This compensation is usually awarded as a remedy for that.
Punitive Damages
Victims have the option to seek punitive damages in Alabama under certain circumstances. The goal of economic and general damage is to make victims whole by righting a wrong. Whereas punitive damage is meant to punish offenders and discourage similar future behavior.
Punitive damages are awarded when the plaintiff can successfully prove that the accident was the result of wanton, malicious, fraudulent, or intentional actions. Punitive damages in Alabama cannot exceed $1.5 million or three times the victim’s compensatory damages.
These damages are seldom awarded in Alabama. You would need an attorney to conclusively prove that the at-fault driver acted in a malicious or wanton disregard manner. A proven personal injury attorney should be able to help you build a strong case by gathering the necessary evidence.
Consult with a Skilled Permanent Injury Lawyer in Alabama
If you or a loved one sustained an amputation, disfigurement, or some other kind of permanent injury as a result of someone else’s fault or negligence, you are likely facing several challenges. You shouldn’t have to deal with them on your own. The highly competent permanent injury attorneys at Smith Law Firm are here to help you. Schedule your free initial consultation with us today. Give us a call at 334-702-1744 or reach us online.
