If the at-fault drivers insurance policy is not sufficient to cover your accident-related expenses, you might be able to turn to your insurance policy for additional coverage. If you purchased optional uninsured or underinsured coverage, a personal injury lawyer could help you tap into this added protection to cover any unreimbursed medical bills, vehicle repairs, and other valid costs.
Your medical expenses.Medical bills can add up fast after a drunk driving accident. Traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, severe burns, and amputations can all leave you with medical expenses that continue throughout your recovery—or, in some cases, medical expenses that last for the rest of your life.
Amputees, for example, may need to replace their prosthetic devices as often as every three to five years, while spinal cord injury victims may require wheelchairs, braces, crutches, and home modifications to help them continue to function as independently as possible.
Keep track of all medical expenses, including the cost of physical, psychological, and occupational therapy related to your injury. Then, you can claim compensation for those medical expenses as part of your personal injury claim after a drunk driving accident.
Your lost income.Following a drunk driving accident, you may suffer severe injuries that prevent you from returning to work, either temporarily or permanently. For example, if you suffer a traumatic brain injury, you may struggle to complete normal tasks in an office environment or keep your cool in a customer service position. In addition, victims of spinal cord damage may not be able to return to a manual labor position, especially one that requires a great deal of movement.
In some cases, you may eventually recover the ability to return to your previous job, especially if your employer will work with you. Therefore, you can include lost wages (in the case of short-term inability to complete your job responsibilities) or lost earning potential (if your injuries permanently prohibit your return) as part of your claim.
Your pain and suffering.In addition to the tangible financial losses associated with your drunk driving accident, you may undergo substantial pain and suffering: the physical pain related to your injuries, the emotional anguish associated with a lack of independence, or the loss of activities and events that usually bring joy to your life. An attorney can help you calculate how that pain and suffering applies to your claim and how much compensation you deserve for those losses.