Personal injury claims allow injured individuals to get compensated for their financial losses after an accident that was caused by someone else. In cases when other insurances do not pay the bill, a personal injury claim can help you get back on your feet. Before you file a claim, you need to know what can be included and what cannot. While medical bills usually top the list, these are the more subtle things you can claim.

1. Income

An injury can keep you out of work for a long time. During that time, money you would have normally been making at your job is no longer available, leaving you to find other means of paying for everyday living expenses. Fortunately, a personal injury claim can take your lost wages into account. Record the number of hours you missed at work and how much you would have made if not for your injury. Get it signed off by your employer so that you can claim compensation.

2. Related Expenses

Literally anything you pay for that you would not have purchased if not for your injury can be claimed. Medications, rental cars, gas to get to the hospital and medical aids (wheelchairs, crutches, etc.) can all be included. Keep receipts for everything you buy because of your injury. It is also possible to estimate how much you may spend for your injury in the future in order to claim those costs now.

3. Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering can be a tricky thing to prove, but if you have incurred incredible misery because of your injury, you should try to get it included. The greater your pain and the chance of pain in the future, the more you can receive in compensation. You may not be able to completely eliminate that pain, but you can get paid for this unfortunate turn of events.

4. Emotional Distress

Emotional distress refers to any mental trauma that continues to impact you after the injury. PTSD, depression, anxiety, fear, and a loss of enjoyment for life can count as emotional distress. Since these things happened because of the injury, they can be claimed. You will need to prove that you are suffering emotionally.

Some expenses are easier to claim than others. If you are getting nowhere with insurance, consider contacting a personal injury lawyer from a firm like AMERICAN LEGAL. Having legal counsel may be able to help you build a stronger case and get the compensation you deserve.