This is the next post in our series on handling Hartford, Connecticut car accident cases. In the last article, we discussed the steps required to prove liability after a car accident. The biggest takeaway is that discovery is the most important tool used by an attorney to gather evidence in order to prove the defendant’s negligence. Because the discovery process is so important to the outcome of the case, it is highly recommended that you contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. In this article, we will be discussing the ways that damages are calculated. If you are in need of assistance, please call our office to set up an initial consultation with a lawyer.
Damages stemming from Hartford car accidents are determined by a variety of different factors
The damages from a Hartford car accident are determined by evaluating the impact of the motor vehicle accident on various aspects of the victim’s life. The first step is to calculate the victim’s past and future medical bills. Calculating medical bills already incurred is easy enough, simply add up the cost of care up to the present. To determine a victim’s future medical expenses, the retention of experts will be necessary. A medical expert will most likely conduct an independent medical examination of the victim. This exam would help to provide the expert with information on if the victim would need more surgeries, additional therapy, medications, doctor visits, and more. The expert would provide their estimated cost of future medical needs. This estimated cost would then go toward the damage figure as future medical bills.
The second factor of damages is an evaluation of the earnings that the victim lost as a result of the accident. This computation is broken up into two parts: past and future losses. Calculating past loss requires showing time missed of work and the amount they would have earned had they been at work. To calculate the future loss, one must show what the victim could have earned for the duration of their injury, if it prevents them from working or working in the same manner as they used to. To make the determination of the future amount earned, an expert economist or vocational expert is typically retained.
A third component of the victim’s damages is an evaluation of an amount to compensate the Plaintiff for the pain and suffering they received from the car accident. This damage is compensation for physical pain, inconvenience, and reduction in the quality of life caused by the accident. For example, if the victim enjoyed playing tennis on sunny summer days and they no longer are able to play, their quality of life was diminished. To determine these amounts, the victim will provide evidence of how the accident has adversely impacted their life, the amount of time they have lost to deal with various issues arising from the crash, and activities that they must now forego.
Juries are the decision-makers for how damages in car crash cases in Hartford, Connecticut
The jury has the duty of determining the damage award. The defendant will be disputing each factor of the purported damages. Because of the defense fighting hard against each claim for damages, it is highly recommended that you retain an experienced attorney to assist in presenting your case to the jury.
Our Connecticut car accident lawyers have been serving the greater area of Hartford for more than fifty years. We take great pride in the level of service that we provide. If you were in a motor vehicle accident, contact us today to receive the attention that your case deserves. We also service the areas of Wethersfield, New Britain, Rocky Hill, East and West Hartford, Bristol, Glastonbury, and Manchester, as well as the Middlesex County cities of Middletown and Cromwell.
