A car crash in Atlanta typically causes devastating effects for victims who need auto accident attorneys for financial relief. Unfortunately, eligibility for compensation in Atlanta car accident cases depends primarily on whether you can prove a negligent party’s liability. On the other hand, getting maximum compensation depends on how well you can prove all your damages in a lawsuit.
That’s because the courts will typically not award damages for injuries in a car crash that they aren’t sure of. However, while it’s easy to prove and quantify economic damages, it’s not the same for some non-economic damages. A perfect example of such difficult-to-quantify damages is the loss of enjoyment of life. In some cases, it can be challenging to establish it in the first place.
The key to proving and quantifying loss of enjoyment of life damages is a thorough understanding of what it means. So, in this article, we’ll let you in on all you need to know about this type of compensation in a car crash case.
Let’s get started.
What Does Loss of Enjoyment of Life Mean in an Atlanta Car Crash Case?
Under personal injury law, loss of enjoyment of life refers to how much an injury adversely affects your life’s quality. It means that you can no longer partake in specific activities you used to enjoy because of your accident injury. That could be because the accident has caused you debilitating pain or some disability.
What Kinds of Car Crash Injuries Can Cause Loss of Enjoyment of Life?
Not all injuries will lead to a loss of enjoyment of life. However, depending on the severity, these common accident injuries can reduce your quality of life:
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Burn Injuries
Significant burn injuries can cause scarring and disfigurement. Such scars can drastically damage your self-esteem and affect your social life. That’s especially when the scarring or disfigurement occurs in the face or other obvious body parts.
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Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can quickly result in partial or complete paralysis. It can also result in loss of sexual function and infertility. Spinal cord damage is particularly catastrophic because there’s no cure for it.
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Injuries Resulting in Chronic Pain
Chronic pain limits a victim’s ability to carry out specific mundane tasks and earn a living. In addition, it’s extremely discomforting and can lead to emotional trauma.
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Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) refer to brain damage through a jolt or bolt to the head. In other cases, brain damage results from an object penetrating the skull. TBIs can significantly affect your brain functioning and lead to disability.
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Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissues refer to the ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Damage to the soft tissues can cause strains, sprains, and tendonitis. These injuries can reduce the quality of life of athletes by limiting their range of motion.
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Injuries Resulting in Blindness or Loss of Hearing
Your inability to see or hear will disrupt your normal life. For example, you won’t be able to appreciate the sights that you once loved. Deafness will also affect your ability to communicate with loved ones and family.
How to Prove Loss of Enjoyment of Life in an Atlanta Personal Injury Lawsuit
To prove loss of enjoyment of life in a lawsuit, you must show the court how your life was pre-injury. Then you must also paint a picture of your after-accident life. The court will access the differences and determine how the accident injuries affected your life adversely. If there were pre-accident activities that you can no longer do or enjoy, the court might award you damages.
For example, does your injury prevent you from shopping, running, and working like before? Your friends and family members can testify about what your life was like before the accident. Your doctor can explain how your injuries affect your daily activities.
How to Quantify Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Proving loss of enjoyment of life, unlike medical bills, can be challenging because there are no receipts. There’s no easy way to put a financial value on an injury that isn’t tangible. However, specific factors can influence your loss of enjoyment of life compensatory amounts. They include:
- Age
- Nature of work
- Severity of injury
- The duration of your recovery
- The extent to which the injury limits your activities, etc.
Give Us a Call Right Away
An experienced auto accident lawyer is necessary for maximum compensation in your personal injury lawsuit. That’s why we are here. Our car crash attorneys at The Weinstein Firm will ensure that you get nothing less than you deserve. We’ll make the negligent driver pay heavily for your injuries. Contact us for a free case evaluation with our personal injury lawyers immediately.