The non-economic damages you can recover after a car accident

On Behalf of | Jan 29, 2024 | Motor Vehicle Accidents |

When you’ve been in a car accident, the impact isn’t just physical. It also affects your mental and emotional state. These impacts are often harder to quantify but are just as real. In Georgia, the law acknowledges these effects, referring to them as non-economic damages.

As a victim, you have the right to claim compensation for these non-economic damages, which might aid in your recovery after a car accident in Georgia.

Physical pain and emotional suffering

Pain and suffering extend beyond the physical agony caused by an accident. They also encompass the emotional side experienced as a result of the incident. This category can include immediate pain from your injuries. It can also cover long-term suffering due to permanent disabilities or disfigurement. The monetary compensation for pain and suffering can differ as it is based on the severity of the accident and its long-term effects on your life.

Psychological impact

Car accidents can leave mental scars that may not be immediately visible. This goes for psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression or other mental impacts following an accident. If you experience these conditions, you have the right to include them in your claim as part of your mental suffering.

Lifestyle limitations

Post-accident injuries could potentially prevent you from finding fulfillment in once-loved activities, including your hobbies or physical and recreational pursuits. In that case, you may be eligible to receive monetary compensation for this loss of enjoyment of life.

Loss of consortium

Loss of consortium is the negative effects an accident can have on your relationship with your significant other. This could include loss of companionship, intimate connection, comfort and physical intimacy. In Georgia, it’s typically the uninjured spouse who brings this claim.

Legal aid during your healing

Non-economic damages are highly personal and subjective, resulting in varying amounts from person to person. The specifics of your case can significantly affect the amount of damages you can recover. That’s where legal aid can become beneficial. Consider seeking an attorney experienced in car accident cases. They can help you understand the strengths of your claim and the potential compensation available to you. This is true whether the compensation comes through a personal injury lawsuit or an insurance claim.