Personal injury claims allow an injured party to receive compensation for their suffering, provided that they can prove negligence. If you’ve been injured in an accident, continue reading and then call a New York City personal injury attorney to learn more about the damages you may receive.
Do personal injury claims allow you to sue for damages?
If you’ve been injured in an accident involving the negligence of another individual, then you’re likely entitled to compensation. The reason compensation is offered is that you may suffer financial, physical, and emotional hardships as a result of your accident. The courts understand that monetary compensation won’t resolve your issues, but the goal is for it to ease your burden as much as possible. When awarding compensation, the court considers a few factors, including:
- Injuries may result in expensive medical bills that the injured party may not be able to cover, and should not have to cover.
- The injury may persist for a substantial amount of time, if not the rest of the person’s life.
- The need to recover from their injuries may result in the injured individual losing wages, so the compensation is meant to cover these lost wages.
- The emotional burden of the accident can’t be quantified, but can nonetheless affect the injured person’s life.
What is the difference between economic and non-economic damages?
The court will begin determining who the negligent party is after a personal injury claim has been filed. Once this is determined, the injured party will likely be entitled to some amount of compensation. This compensation is always monetary, and while it won’t erase the trauma of your accident, it can be very helpful for covering the costs related to your injuries.
There are two types of compensation that you can receive: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are generally quantifiable and will cover many expenses that are related to your accident. These include:
- Medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Property loss
Non-economic damages account for the emotional toll of your accident and are given to acknowledge the greater, hidden, pain that you may feel for a substantial period of time. These damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
What is the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in New York City?
While you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, you must understand that there is a timeline that, if elapsed, will prevent you from suing. In the state of New York, this statute of limitations is generally three years. Don’t wait, contact a New York City personal injury attorney today.
Contact Our New York City Firm
If you have been injured in a New York City accident, Swerling Law is here to help. Contact Swerling Law today to schedule your free initial consultation with our firm.