New York City is a bustling urban area with millions of residents and tourists who visit every day. With that amount of foot and car traffic, there are bound to be a lot of accidents. But when an accident occurs due to someone else’s negligence, and you end up hurt as a result, you may have a legal case. At Shaevitz & Shaevitz, we help clients like you understand their rights, the economic damages they may be entitled to, and how to secure further compensation.
Book a free consultation at our office today in Queens, NY, and learn what your injuries may be worth.
What Are Economic Damages?
Economic damages refer to “tangible” financial losses, or things that we can prove with bills, pay stubs, and other records. The most common economic damages patients recover after an accident include:
- Medical expenses: Hospital and therapy bills can rack up after an accident. In many cases, you may be able to recoup these expenses through your insurance.
Lost wages: While injured, you may not have been able to work. Any loss of income (like salary, hourly wages, overtime, or tips) may be reimbursed. However, lost wages must be supported by pay stubs, employer letters, or tax returns.- Loss of earning capacity: If your injuries result in permanent disability, chronic pain, or other functional limitations, you may lose out on potential future earnings.
- Property damage: Damage to a vehicle or other personal property is economic damage.
Who pays for your economic damages depends on the type of accident you were in.
In a car accident involving two vehicles, the insurance of the car you’re in will pay for your no-fault benefits (which cover economic losses). If you are hit by a vehicle as a pedestrian or cyclist, the insurance of the car that hit you must pay for economic damages. For non-auto accidents, your health insurance or the at-fault property owner may cover some economic costs. Additionally, in a workplace accident, workers’ compensation may cover medical expenses.
What Are Non-Economic Damages?
In an accident, you may accrue more than just economic damages. Non-economic damages are intangible harm that affects your body, mind, or relationships. These damages may include:
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain and discomfort from your accident affect your everyday life. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may be eligible for compensation.
- Emotional distress: Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and sleep problems are all common side effects of life-changing accidents. If you’re struggling with psychological effects, you may receive compensation.
- Loss of consortium: If your relationship with your spouse or close family member suffers due to the accident, you may be eligible for compensation. This damage includes things like loss of affection, intimacy, and support.
It’s important to note, however, that auto accident victims must meet the serious injury threshold before they’re eligible for non-economic recovery. If your injuries don’t reach the threshold, you may not be able to sue for additional damages besides what your no-fault benefits pay for.
How To Secure Economic Damages in Queens, NY
As your personal injury attorneys, it’s our job to assess what your damages may be worth. During your free consultation, we will help you determine if you have a case worth pursuing.
To prove that your injuries are a result of the accident, we must meet the civil burden of proof. This burden requires us to prove that it is more likely than not that the other party is responsible for your accident. Using medical records, employment and tax documents, expert testimony, witness statements, and police reports, we can assemble the evidence needed to support your claim.
While past damages are easier to prove (through evidence like medical bills), future damages may be more complicated. We will use expert opinions on the matter to assess what the accident may have cost you in the future.
When representing you, Shaevitz & Shaevitz will handle the insurance negotiations. These insurance agents use minimizing tactics, attempting to get you to agree to a lower payout. But with us handling your case, we can protect your compensation from insurance companies.
Book a Free Consultation at Shaevitz & Shaevitz Today!
If you’re in an accident in New York City, you may be eligible for compensation. But the process can be complicated! Having attorneys by your side like those at Shaevitz & Shaevitz helps you make sense of your case and your potential compensation. We will calculate your economic damages and help you obtain the compensation you deserve through the right insurance policy. Then, if you qualify, you may be able to pursue further legal action through non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
Book a free consultation and case review to learn what your damages may actually be worth.
Connect with us on Instagram and Facebook to see what we’ve won for our past clients over the years.
