After an accident, the immediate costs are obvious: medical bills, car repairs, and lost wages. But the actual financial impact of a personal injury often runs much deeper. People should seek a lawyer's help because insurance companies frequently overlook or dispute less-obvious expenses, leaving you to cover costs that are rightfully part of your claim. It is important to identify every recoverable expense, so you receive the full compensation you deserve.
At Preston Day Law, PLLC, we see firsthand how unexpected costs can accumulate, creating immense stress for individuals and families. Our attorney has dedicated his career to helping Utah residents through these challenges, combining years of experience with a compassionate approach. We serve clients throughout Utah County and Salt Lake County, and the surrounding communities, prioritizing clear communication and personalized service so our clients feel heard and supported.
The Full Picture of Personal Injury Damages
When you are injured because of someone else's negligence, you are entitled to compensation for your losses, which are legally referred to as "damages." While most people think of medical bills, the law allows for a much broader recovery. The goal is to make you "whole" again—or as close as possible to the position you were in before the accident.
This includes both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are tangible financial losses with a clear dollar value. Non-economic damages are intangible losses, such as pain and suffering. Many of the surprising expenses people miss fall into the economic category because they seem small or indirect. However, these costs add up and can place a significant financial strain on you and your family. Let's look at seven expenses you might not have realized you can include in your claim.
1. Future Medical Treatments
Your personal injury claim can cover more than just the emergency room visit and initial doctor's appointments. If your injury requires long-term care, you can seek compensation for projected future medical needs. This is a common but often underestimated category of damages. These expenses can include:
Physical or occupational therapy.
Future surgeries or medical procedures.
Prescription medications needed long-term.
Specialized medical equipment, like a wheelchair or hospital bed.
In-home nursing care.
To calculate these costs, we often consult with medical professionals who can provide a detailed life care plan. This plan outlines the treatments you will likely need and their estimated costs over your lifetime. Without accounting for these future needs, you could be left paying for ongoing care out of your own pocket long after your case has settled.
2. Lost Earning Capacity
Lost wages from missing work right after an accident are straightforward to calculate. But what if your injury permanently affects your ability to earn a living? This is known as lost earning capacity. It is the difference between what you could have reasonably been expected to earn throughout your career and what you can now earn because of your injury.
For example, a construction worker who suffers a severe back injury may no longer be able to perform manual labor. Even if they can find a different job, it might pay significantly less. A personal injury claim can seek compensation for this difference in potential lifetime earnings. Proving this loss often involves working with vocational specialists and economists who can assess your skills, the realities of the job market, and project the long-term financial impact.
3. Modifications to Your Home or Vehicle
A catastrophic injury can change your life in an instant, creating new mobility challenges. If you need to make modifications to your home or vehicle to accommodate a permanent disability, the costs of these alterations can be included in your claim. Examples of recoverable modifications include:
Installing ramps or stairlifts in your home
Widening doorways to accommodate a wheelchair
Renovating a bathroom with grab bars and a roll-in shower
Adding hand controls or other adaptive equipment to your vehicle
These changes are not luxuries; they are necessities that allow you to regain a degree of independence. Documenting quotes and invoices from contractors is key to recovering these substantial costs.
4. Travel Expenses for Medical Care
Getting to and from medical appointments can become a significant expense, especially if you require specialized care that is not available locally. You can recover the costs associated with traveling for your treatment. This includes:
Mileage to and from doctors' offices, therapy sessions, and pharmacies
Parking fees at medical facilities
Costs for public transportation or ride-sharing services if you are unable to drive
In some cases, lodging and meal expenses if you must travel a long distance for a procedure
While a few dollars for parking may seem minor, these costs accumulate quickly over weeks and months of treatment. Our compassionate attorney advises clients to keep a detailed log of all travel related to their medical care, as this documentation is essential for reimbursement.
5. Cost of Canceled Plans and Non-Refundable Deposits
An injury can disrupt more than just your daily routine; it can derail major life plans. Did you have a non-refundable vacation booked? Were there concert tickets you couldn't use? You may be able to recover these losses.
If you had to cancel a trip, event, or other activity and lost money on non-refundable deposits or tickets, this is a direct financial loss caused by the accident. To claim these expenses, you will need to provide proof of payment and the cancellation policy showing the funds were non-refundable.
6. Household Services and Childcare
When you are laid up with an injury, everyday tasks can become impossible. Mowing the lawn, cleaning the house, or even cooking dinner might be out of the question. If you have to hire someone to perform tasks you normally handled yourself, these costs can be part of your claim.
This principle also applies to childcare. If your injuries prevent you from caring for your children and you need to hire a babysitter or pay for extra daycare, those expenses are recoverable. The key is to demonstrate that these were services you would not have needed to pay for if not for the injury.
7. Vocational Rehabilitation
Sometimes, an injury makes it impossible to return to your previous job or career field. Vocational rehabilitation services can help you acquire new skills or education to re-enter the workforce in a new capacity. The costs associated with this retraining can be included in your settlement. This might cover tuition for classes, career counseling, and job placement services. It is a vital component of helping an injured person rebuild their professional life and regain financial stability.
Understanding Utah's Personal Injury Laws
In Utah, personal injury claims are guided by specific state laws. The statute of limitations, for example, gives you four years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit in most negligence cases. If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation.
Utah also follows a "modified comparative negligence" rule. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident, as long as your share of the fault is less than 50%. However, your final compensation award will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For instance, if you are found to be 10% responsible for a car accident, your total damages award will be reduced by 10%. Insurance adjusters often try to assign a higher percentage of fault to the injured party to reduce the payout, which is a key reason to have a legal advocate on your side.
Personal Injury Attorney Serving Utah County, Utah
At Preston Day Law, PLLC, we understand the profound effect a personal injury can have on your life. Our firm strives to reduce this burden by offering clear, compassionate guidance throughout the legal process if you pursue compensation. Serving clients across Utah County and Salt Lake County, our experienced attorney leverages a deep knowledge of Utah law. Attorney Preston Day is a trusted advocate for Utah residents, defined by effective communication and a commitment to protecting our clients’ rights. Call today to learn more.
