Marietta Injury Lawyer Blog
Non-economic damages could prove crucial as you recover from a Georgia car accident. When it comes to traumatic injuries, the physical consequences are just one part of the equation. Serious injuries inevitably come with psychological distress, worry, and anxiety. Many car crash survivors develop legitimate psychological disorders as they do their best to recover. But what exactly are non-economic damages, and why are they so important? Can you claim these damages after a car accident in Marietta?
Non-Economic Damages in Georgia Explained
Non-economic damages represent your psychological or emotional issues after a car accident. These damages are not the same as “economic damages,” which represent only your financial losses. As a result of their non-financial nature, non-economic damages can be quite abstract. You can’t put a clear price on anxiety in the same way as a lost paycheck, for example.
However, non-economic damages are still legitimate – and they can lead to compensation even if you cannot show a receipt to prove how much they cost you. In fact, non-economic damages can increase your total compensation by a significant amount – especially if you suffered a serious or life-changing injury.
Examples of Non-Economic Damages
There are numerous examples of non-economic damages. Here are just a few:
- PTSD: Post-traumatic stress disorder is a common challenge for survivors of near-death experiences. After a crash, you may become socially withdrawn. You might struggle with flashbacks or unwanted memories of the crash. Some even have nightmares of these memories. These are all symptoms of PTSD, which is a recognized non-economic damage in Georgia.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: After a serious injury, you may be unable to engage in some of your favorite pastimes. For example, someone who has their legs amputated may struggle to play soccer. Even a broken kneecap can make hiking impossible for the rest of your life. If you miss out on these rewarding experiences due to your accident, you can claim non-economic damages called “loss of enjoyment of life.”
- Emotional Distress: Emotional distress is a catch-all phrase that describes all of the various discomfort and stress you were forced to endure as a result of your accident. This is a common non-economic damage in car accident claims.
- Disfigurement: The psychological impact of disfiguring injuries can lead to additional compensation in Georgia. For example, you might have suffered burns across your face. Perhaps you suffered lacerations. Whatever the case may be, disfigurement is a non-economic damage that provides compensation above and beyond your medical expenses.
- Humiliation: Although humiliation is not a common non-economic damage in car accident claims, it is possible in certain scenarios. If your injuries are particularly embarrassing or difficult to bear, you could claim this damage.
Georgia is an At-Fault State
Georgia is an “at-fault” state when it comes to car accidents. This means you can claim non-economic damages as part of your auto accident lawsuit. Note that in other “no-fault” states, this is not possible.