A car accident can leave you with a variety of injuries. While most car accident injuries are treatable with a couple of visits to the ER, some can be life-altering. An example of this is an injury to the spine.
If you or someone you love sustains an injury to the spine as a result of another person’s negligence or unlawful actions, you may be able to recover damages through a personal injury lawsuit. And while at it, you might be wondering exactly how much you will recover for the damages resulting from the crash.
Recovering damages following a car crash
The compensable damages that you may recover after your spinal cord injury include medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering and reduced quality of life. And if the defendant’s behavior was especially bad, then punitive damages might apply as well.
Factors that may influence how much your spinal cord injury is worth
There is generally no set formula for calculating damages in a personal injury claim. However, certain factors can give you an idea of how strong your case is as well as the compensation you are likely to receive after your spinal cord injury:
The extent of your spinal cord injury – The severity of your spinal cord injury will determine how much you will need for medical expenses. For instance, if the injury leads to paralysis that affects the quality of your life (mental and emotional health) as well as your career, then you can expect a higher compensation amount.
The level of negligence – Louisiana is a comparative negligence state. This means that you may pursue the defendant for damages. However, if you bear some liability for the accident that resulted in your injuries, then your settlement amount will certainly be reduced.
There is no doubt that a spinal cord injury can be devastating. If your injuries are attributable to another party’s negligence, you deserve fair and just compensation for your damages.