Accident compensation covers economic and noneconomic damages. Compensation may cover:
Past, present and future medical expenses
Loss of earnings or future earning capacity
Home modifications
Travel expenses, such as to a rehabilitative therapist’s office
Funeral expenses for cases involving wrongful death
Pain and suffering
Serious accidents may incur millions of dollars in lost income and medical expenses. Spinal cord injuries are a great example. According to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, a person who suffers a complete C-1 spinal cord injury at 25 years old could suffer $4 million in lifetime costs. This figure does not cover additional expenses, such as lost wages or benefits.
It is important to remember that sometimes injuries are more serious that what you initially imagined. You may not realize the serious impact an accident will have on your life until later, for example if you have an injury that you thought would heal on its own but later requires surgery. It is important to involve a lawyer in the process early because it is impossible to know what the future may hold.