After a Cobb County car accident, it always makes sense to pursue maximum compensation. However, you must recognize all of your various losses before this legal process begins. Some of your losses might be quite subtle, and you may not truly experience them until later in life. Non-economic damages represent a prime example of this.
Non-Economic Damages Represent Your Psychological Losses
Simply put, non-economic damages represent your psychological or emotional losses. These are distinct from “economic damages,” which instead represent financial losses.
A car accident in Cobb County can be an incredibly stressful and traumatic experience. Often, this constitutes a near-death experience or “NDE.” In the aftermath, you may experience many hours of frightening and grueling medical treatment.
After you recover, you might become depressed. You might also develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). You might also find yourself withdrawing from social activities or avoiding driving out of fear. Debilitating injuries may make it difficult to enjoy the pastimes you once loved.
Specific Examples of Non-Economic Damages
There are many specific examples of non-economic damages to consider when filing a car accident claim in Cobb County. One term that many people recognize is “pain and suffering.” An equivalent term is “emotional distress.” They both represent the general stress and discomfort of going through a car accident, instead of anything in particular.
A more specific example is disfigurement. This non-economic damage represents the psychological effects of burns, permanent scars, amputations, and so on. These kinds of injuries can lead to serious self-esteem issues, and this can lead to additional compensation after a car accident.
Another specific example of a non-economic damage is “loss of enjoyment of life.” You might experience this if you have active hobbies and pastimes that become impossible after your injuries. For example, you might enjoy hiking with your dog. Perhaps you play soccer or coach your daughter’s softball team. Whatever the case may be, you can pursue additional compensation for losing access to these valuable hobbies.
How Do I Prove Non-Economic Damages?
Although non-economic damages are legitimate and compensable, they can be difficult to prove. If you incur medical expenses, you can simply use your bills as evidence. But if you experience something like depression or anxiety, these abstract losses can be more challenging to establish.
Of course, some non-economic damages are self-evident. No one can dispute that a victim has suffered a serious facial burn or an amputated limb, and the psychological consequences of these injuries are difficult to deny.
In other situations, you might need to obtain an official diagnosis from a mental health professional. For example, a psychologist might diagnose you with PTSD after a car accident.
A journal may also represent an effective type of evidence. If you write about your experiences after a car accident, these journal entries may help prove that your non-economic damages are legitimate.
Insurers may seem reluctant to compensate you for non-economic damages. However, victims should know that they have the right to pursue this type of compensation. Victims might need to negotiate for this compensation, and if negotiations fail, a trial may be necessary.