Motorcycle accidents are stressful enough without having to worry how you will care for your family and pay for the medical bills that may be flooding in due to physical injuries because of the accident. Motorcycle accidents are expensive, in part due to the seriousness of the injuries sustained, but also because those injuries often require a long road to recovery.
Physical injuries are the types of injuries that immediately come to mind when people think about the occurrence of a motor vehicle accident. However, emotional injuries, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) also frequently occur and are often overlooked. It is important to examine the types of damages that are recoverable in motorcycle accident cases in New Hampshire.
TYPES OF DAMAGES RECOVERED IN A NEW HAMPSHIRE MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT
In a motorcycle personal injury case there are generally two categories of damages recovered:
- General damages; and
- Special damages.
General Damages
General damages include, for example, “lost wages, loss of a promotion to a higher job position, increases in costs for daily life due to your injuries (such as cleaning, shopping etc.), inability to take part in your sports and hobbies, and of course your pain and suffering.” Pain and suffering is the most difficult damage to place a value on in any case.
Special Damages
Special damages are damages which a monetary calculation may be attached to. For example, special damages include things like medical expenses, ambulance costs, and physical therapy. Basically, special damages are easier to calculate because they will typically have a receipt or a bill as evidence that your injury is being treated.
So, what types of losses can be recovered in New Hampshire? The Court will consider the following damages:
- Pain and suffering;
- Medical expenses;
- Lost wages;
- Loss of future earnings;
- Permanent disability;
- Disfigurement; and
- Catastrophic injury and death, among many others.
Pain and Suffering Damages after a Motorcycle Accident
Pain and suffering is legal terminology that is used to describe the physical and emotional pain caused due to personal injury, like a motorcycle accident. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) will most likely fall under the umbrella of “pain and suffering.”
In New Hampshire, a person may recover damages for both physical injuries and emotional anguish that they have suffered, and may continue to suffer, as a result of the motorcycle accident. Unfortunately, there is not a formula for calculating PTSD, or other elements of “pain and suffering, but it can often be a significant element of your motorcycle accident personal injury claim. In attempting to calculate pain and suffering the New Hampshire Court might consider the following factors:
- Physical pain;
- Discomfort;
- Fears and anxieties;
- Mental and emotional distress; and
- Loss of enjoyment of life as it was prior to the accident.
Every injury case is different and requires a thorough evaluation by an experienced motorcycle accident attorney.
CONTACT NEW HAMPSHIRE MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYERS
If you or a loved one has suffered injury, including PTSD, in a severe motorcycle accident you need skilled and dedicated legal representation. With decades of experience and a proven record of success, you should not hesitate to call the best New Hampshire motorcycle accident attorneys at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. for a free injury consultation. Our motorcycle accident attorneys will assist you in receiving maximum compensation under the law. Contact us now!