If you are involved in an accident, you may be entitled to seek damages for the injuries you suffer. A First Coast personal injury attorney can help you make the strongest case that you are entitled to recompense.
Evidence of Physical Injuries
But you may not be aware that all injuries are not equal when it comes to insurance claims. Harsh physical injuries, such as broken legs and permanent deformities, are worth more in damages because they are easily documented and easy to prove how serious and expensive they really are. By contrast, soft-tissue injuries and complaints of severe pain and emotional suffering are worth far less, because they are completely subjective and insurers are reluctant to trust that claimants are telling the whole truth about them. Whiplash injuries or pain that results from strained backs are worth less in damages, as insurance companies, as well as juries, are more sympathetic to objectively provable injuries with evidence.
Documentation of Lost Income
Another factor where documentation matters is loss of income. If you had to take time off work due to your injuries, it should be easy to claim lost wages if you are paid regularly, either hourly or on salary, and can provide documentation of how much you would have been paid for the time off. But a self-employed worker who doesn’t keep good records of time worked and billed will have a tougher time making the argument for lost wages.
For more information about how your case is evaluated, contact First Coast personal injury attorney John Fagan.