Your life can be turned upside down after an accident. Suddenly, you are faced with mounting medical bills, lost wages, and the pain and suffering of your injuries. Thankfully, there are ways to be compensated after an injury of no fault of your own. The Texas personal injury attorney at The Law Office of Rene A. Flores PLLC breaks down the three types of compensation available.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are a key component of any settlement related to an accident. As defined by Texas law, economic damages compensate the victim for any financial losses that can be calculated, such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. While the costs associated with these damages may not always be calculated accurately. Factors such as age, health, and current employment can be used to assess economic damages and ultimately determine an accurate settlement value.
Non-Economic Damages
After an accident in Texas, one of the forms of damages an individual may be entitled to is non-economic damages. These types of losses refer specifically to the emotional pain and suffering caused by an accident, such as distress, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. While these effects can tremendously impact a person's quality of life, it can be challenging to determine the dollar value of those impacts. Therefore, non-economic damages can be harder to claim than economic losses.
However, anyone who has suffered from physical or emotional trauma due to another's negligence should seek legal assistance. In assessing a personal injury claim, these issues will be considered so that an appropriate amount can be determined when seeking compensation for such hardships in civil court.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are not as common as economic and non-economic damages but can still be awarded. This is because the defendant typically has had to demonstrate clear wantonness and disregard for safety for punitive damages to be distributed. In other words, the defendant's actions must have been especially heinous before punitive damages are even considered. Furthermore, evidence of extreme recklessness or indifference to the risk of harm will usually be necessary to secure punitive damages in Texas.
Unsure What Damages You May Receive?
If you were in an accident in Texas, you might be entitled to receive economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. However, it can be daunting to try and pursue these damages on your own.
If you are injured in an accident, it is important to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney to learn more about the specific types of compensation that may be available to you. That's why the team at The Law Office of Rene A. Flores PLLC is ready to help you. Contact our experienced Texas personal injury attorney today online or by phone to schedule a consultation. (956) 606-3606