While most car accident victims are understandably concerned about their immediate circumstances, the greatest losses from accident-related injuries typically come in the future. From ongoing medical expenses to chronic pain and suffering, the lasting consequences of a personal injury from a car crash can be substantial, and they are among the primary reasons why all seriously-injured crash victims should seek experienced legal representation.
The following is a list of future losses for which financial compensation may be available:
1. Medical Expenses
If someone else was at fault in the accident, you are entitled to full compensation for all of your accident-related losses. This includes both current and future medical expenses. You will need to obtain a thorough diagnosis so that your attorneys can estimate the amount of money you will need for follow-up doctor’s visits, surgical procedures, therapy and rehabilitation.
2. Prescription Costs
Over the course of years or decades, the costs of pain medications and other prescription drugs can become astronomical. In addition to medical treatment expenses, accident victims in Florida can also seek full coverage for their future prescription needs. The same is true for medical supplies and assistive devices required to manage and treat the symptoms of accident-related injuries.
3. Child and Household Services
If your injuries prevent you from driving your children to school, taking care of your children’s needs at home, or performing chores around the house, you may also need to secure money in advance to pay for childcare assistance, cleaning, lawnmowing, repairs, and other child and household services.
4. Other Out-of-Pocket Costs
In addition to the types of costs discussed above, as the victim of an accident that was someone else’s fault, you are entitled to compensation for any other future out-of-pocket costs that you are forced to incur as a result of your injuries. This includes, for example, gas to get to and from your doctor’s office.
5. Lost Earning Capacity
For many individuals, the largest financial losses resulting from traumatic injuries stem from the inability to work. This can mean: (i) being entirely unable to work due to chronic pain or a physical disability; or, (ii) being forced to find a lower-paying (and less-fulfilling) job as a result of a debilitating injury. We previously discussed some of the factors involved in calculating lost future earnings under Florida law.
6. Pain and Suffering
For many people, the pain from a traumatic injury can impact virtually all aspects of their daily lives. In addition to compensation for medical treatment and medication, Florida law also makes compensation available to personal injury victims for the non-financial effects of pain and suffering.
7. Other Non-Financial Losses
Florida law provides accident victims with the right to recover compensation for a broad range of other non-financial future losses as well. This includes losses such as:
- Emotional trauma
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of society, companionship, and consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Speak with a Personal Injury Lawyer at Ansbacher Law
If you would like more information about the compensation available for future losses from a car accident, we encourage you to get in touch. To speak with one of the personal injury attorneys at our offices in Orange Park, please call (904) 644-1923 or request a free consultation online today.
