After a car accident in Denver, Colorado, you could have physical, psychological, and financial consequences if you get hurt. Lawyers refer to the unfavorable outcomes of a legal injury as damages in a personal injury litigation. Your attorney’s responsibility is to carefully analyze a client’s damages and how to show those damages in a personal injury lawsuit or settlement. Contact our Denver, Colorado, car accident attorneys for a free case evaluation.
Economic damages in a car accident in Denver, Colorado
Financial losses that can be objectively verified as having occurred, such as past and future medical expenses, lost earnings in the past and future, lost use of property, repair or replacement costs, the economic value of household services, and lost business or employment opportunities, are compensated for through economic damages.
In a car accident case in Denver, Colorado, possible economic damages might be:
- Previous medical bills
- Future healthcare costs
- Personal expenses for medical treatment
- Medical equipment and prescription drugs
- lost income
- loss of potential for future income
- Powered scooter property damage (if you own the car)
The actual losses resulting from a client’s auto accident are these. In the majority of personal injury cases, your attorney may demonstrate your economic damages using proof like medical bills or pay stubs.
Non-economic damages in a personal injury lawsuit
Non-economic damages are compensation for intangible, non-financial losses such as pain, suffering, annoyance, mental distress, loss of company and companionship, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life. Your injuries’ non-tangible repercussions are known as non-economic damages. In most cases, your attorney is unable to provide a cost for these kinds of losses.
In your car accident case, non-economic damages could include:
- suffering from the past and the future
- loss of group support
- emotional angst
- Mental suffering
- the inability to enjoy life
Non-economic damages in a personal injury case are specific to the client’s accident and injuries. How the accident affects your life must be carefully taken into account by your car accident attorney. Your attorney must also think about how to demonstrate your non-economic damages.
When can you get an award of punitive damages?
Financial penalties imposed on the defendant for outrageous behavior and/or to reform or stop the defendant and others from repeating the actions that gave rise to the litigation are known as punitive damages, also known as exemplary damages or exemplary punishment.
Punitive damages are distinct from economic and non-economic damages in that they do not fully compensate the client for their losses. In addition to punishing the irresponsible party for their exceptionally careless actions, it serves as a deterrent to others.
Punitive damages are decided upon by a judge or jury in accordance with Colorado law following a client’s trial. According to Colorado litigation laws, your attorney must request the judge’s approval before pursuing punitive damages.
How can my car accident lawyer determine the amount of my damages?
Your car accident lawyer must carefully analyze the types and amounts of damages in your case because every personal injury case is unique. It is your lawyer’s duty to look into your claim and gather documentation to support the extent of your damages.
Particularly for economic damages in the past, concrete evidence of economic harms is frequently present. To illustrate your potential future economic damages and the chance that a customer will experience them, you could need expert studies or testimony.
Non-economic damages are more difficult to quantify and are intangible. However, your lawyer must provide evidence during a trial or as part of a demand letter. The medical records may be utilized to demonstrate the impact that your injuries have done to your life. To demonstrate your non-economic damages, your attorney may also rely on witness testimony, visual evidence, and images. Expert testimony may also be needed to demonstrate future non-economic damages.
