If you get in a car accident, you certainly understand that you deserve compensation. The other party may even agree, as it was clear that the accident was their fault. As you enter into mediation, the goal is simply to determine how much compensation needs to be paid.
To that end, you need to consider all potential types of compensation that may apply. Let’s look at a few examples below.
Lost wages
To begin with, your injuries could keep you out of work, meaning that you’re losing wages. You may deserve compensation, even if this only lasts for a few days.
Additionally, if your injuries cause lasting issues—such as a disability—then you may have a reduced earning capacity. You may deserve compensation for wages that you expected to earn in the future but no longer can.
Medical costs
Next, you have to think about your medical bills. If you were rushed to the hospital and given emergency surgery, you certainly want to start by considering these immediate costs.
On top of that, though, you also want to think about the long-term impact. You may deserve compensation for ongoing medical needs or future costs, such as further surgeries, physical rehabilitation or in-home care.
Pain and suffering
In many cases, you can also seek compensation for the pain and suffering that you endure. If the other driver hadn’t made a mistake, you wouldn’t have had to go through all of this. It can be a bit more complex to determine exactly what compensation you deserve or how to put a monetary value on the suffering you went through.
As you work your way through this process, consider the necessary steps to take during mediation so that the two sides can work toward a successful resolution.