Economic and Non-Economic Damages in a Personal Injury Case

Victims of personal injuries may seek economic and non-economic damages by filing an insurance claim or lawsuit against the at-fault party. When someone else’s carelessness or recklessness causes injuries, the civil courts allow the victim to hold the at-fault party accountable. This is how we get justice for our clients in a personal injury case. 

At Shulman & Hill, we build strong arguments and pursue economic and non-economic damages in personal injury cases. We help our clients seek money for the expenses and losses they experienced. We will answer your questions and assess your case for free. Give us a call at 212.221.1000. 

What Are Damages in a Personal Injury Case?

Damages in a personal injury case compensate the victim for the expenses and losses they experienced. This includes the actual financial effects of the accident and their injuries, as well as intangible losses. There are generally two types of damages a victim may be able to recover through an insurance settlement or court award. They include: 

Economic Damages in a Personal Injury Case

The economic damages in a personal injury case come from the financial expenses and losses experienced. This compensation includes medical care and related costs, income losses, and miscellaneous expenses necessary because of the injuries or treatment. In many cases, victims may seek compensation for both current and future economic damages.

Non-Economic Damages in a Personal Injury Case

Non-economic damages are the intangible losses injured victims experience. They are commonly known as “pain and suffering.” They do not have a direct economic value, but our personal injury lawyers know how to establish their potential value for these cases.

Are Economic and Non-Economic Damages Available in Every Case?

Both economic and non-economic damages may be available in most successful cases. However, laws in New York and several other states limit who may recover some types of damages after a traffic accident. 

Under these laws, victims may recover basic medical care costs and lost income up to policy limits or until their doctor determines they fully recovered by filing a no-fault claim. The state requires all drivers to purchase no-fault coverage, also known as a personal injury protection (PIP) policy. 

These claims do not allow the claimant to recover non-economic or future economic damages. However, victims can pursue fault-based claims and may recover compensation if they suffered serious injuries. Discussing this with a car accident lawyer from our team may be beneficial for learning more about your case.

How Do I Know How Much My Personal Injury Case Might Be Worth?

There is no way to know how much a successful case might be worth until gathering evidence and taking other steps to understand the damages. This documentation may include: 

• Medical bills
• Tax paperwork and other documents to show income losses
• Receipts for related expenses
• Testimony from experts about prognosis and future care needs

Your attorney may use the documentation of your expenses and losses to decide how much to demand from the insurer and indicate when to recommend accepting a settlement offer. They may also present this evidence to the judge and jury at trial to document the damages. 

There are no guarantees in a personal injury case. No one can tell you how much money you will recover—or promise compensation at all—and you should not work with any lawyer who makes this promise.

Recovering Fair Compensation in a Personal Injury Case

There are generally two ways an attorney seeks damages for their clients after a personal injury accident. They include filing an insurance claim and suing the at-fault party. Sometimes lawyers manage both of these options concurrently, working to negotiate a fair settlement with the insurer while preparing the case for trial. 

At Shulman & Hill, New York’s premier personal injury law firm, we help clients pursue damages and hold the at-fault party accountable. We have a long history of recovering fair compensation for personal injury victims and may help you develop a strong case and seek the appropriate damages, too. 

Discuss Your Personal Injury With Our Team Today in a Free Consultation

Shulman & Hill may be able to help you pursue damages if you suffered injuries in a personal injury accident. We build cases against the careless and reckless parties who hurt our clients and seek fair compensation on their behalf.

Learn more today with a free initial consultation with our team. Because we take personal injury cases on contingency, we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. Call 212.221.1000 to get started.