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If you have been involved in a personal injury accident in Georgia caused by someone else’s careless, reckless, or intentional behavior, you may be eligible for compensation for the harm and losses you have suffered. However, many people do not actually know what these damages entail and what they can expect to recover. That is why in the below guide, we will go over the types of damages that are available in a Georgia personal injury lawsuit.
The Financial Damages You May Be Entitled To Following a Georgia Personal Injury Accident
After a personal injury accident in Georgia, you may be eligible to pursue three primary types of damages: special, general, and punitive.
Special Damages
These damages refer to the financial losses that an accident victim incurs. These losses include out-of-pocket expenses related to the personal injury accident or the harm involved. Specifically, these damages include payment for:
- Past and future medical expenses related to doctor visits, hospital visits, prescription medications, and other types of treatments
- Lost income
- Lost business opportunities
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property replacement expenses and repair costs
- Loss of services or support
- Other out-of-pocket expenses such as in-home health care costs, travel expenses, and personal care costs
General Damages
While these damages are also meant to compensate victims for their losses after an accident, they do not have a clear monetary value attached to them and can be challenging to quantify. These general damages typically include payment for losses related to:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Permanent disabilities and impairment
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Inconvenience and humiliation as a result of the victim’s injuries
- Loss of companionship and consortium
- Mental anguish and trauma
Punitive Damages
In addition to the above compensation, victims of an accident may also be able to pursue punitive damages. However, while the other types of damages are meant to compensate the victim for the losses they suffered after an accident, punitive damages are only awarded by the court to punish the wrongdoer for their egregious behavior and stop others from committing this act in the future.
Yet, for a court to award punitive damages after a personal injury accident in Georgia, the victim must show through clear and convincing evidence that the wrongful party acted with fraud, malice, oppression, wantonness, willful misconduct, or conscious indifference to the consequences of their actions. Due to this high standard of proof, if you believe you may be entitled to punitive damages after a personal injury accident, consider reviewing your legal claim with an experienced Georgia personal injury attorney, who can help you understand what legal remedies you can pursue.
Contact Richard D. Hobbs & Associates Today and Learn More About Your Legal Options
If you endured harm in a personal injury accident in Georgia and want to know more about the damages that may be available to you, contact Richard D. Hobbs & Associates today to go over your case for free and learn how our legal team can help you fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.