When a negligent driver causes a car accident that leaves you with serious injuries, you deserve full compensation for the harm you’ve suffered. This includes compensation for medical expenses and lost wages, as well as your pain and suffering or reduced quality of life. 
How a Car Accident Can Affect Your Quality of Life
Your accident injuries could have a wide range of effects beyond lost wages and the need for medical care. This might include:
- Physical discomfort
- Trouble sleeping
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Fear of driving or being in places perceived as dangerous
- Struggles adjusting to deformity or disfigurement
- Strained relationships with loved ones
Your quality of life could also be affected in ways you might not realize until several weeks or even months have passed. For example:
- Your injuries could prevent you from playing sports or engaging in physically demanding hobbies.
- You might no longer be able to volunteer in the community.
- You might need to hire someone to help with cooking, yard work, or household chores.
- You could be unable to actively play with your young children due to chronic pain or physical limitations.
- You may no longer be able to help out your parents or older family members due to your injuries.
- You might have less free time because of your many medical and therapy appointments.
Including Non-Economic Damages in Your Personal Injury Claim
The intangible damages associated with your car accident injuries can be hard to put a value on, and the insurance company will do everything in its power to minimize your claim. To protect your right to a fair recovery, your attorney may suggest you keep a journal detailing your experiences after the accident that can be submitted as evidence. Statements from friends or family about how your daily routine has changed can also be helpful in showing the impact the accident has had on your quality of life.
To some extent, the severity of your injuries will play a role in how much compensation you can receive for lost quality of life. Even though quality of life is subjective, it is assumed that a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or another permanently disabling injury will have a more drastic impact on your quality of life than one that merely requires a lengthy recovery process.
Have You Been Injured In A Louisiana Car Accident?
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Alexandria office directly at 318.541.8188 to schedule your free consultation.