People who are involved in motor vehicle crashes can sometimes suffer injuries that can range from broken bones and bruises to spinal cord injuries and brain damage. In 2022 alone, there were 31,599 crashes in Missouri that led to 45,456 injured victims.
Anyone who suffers an injury in a motor vehicle crash may need considerable medical care, and some may opt to pursue compensation. Those who choose to pursue compensation should be sure they mitigate the damages they’re facing. This means that they’re taking steps to keep the effects of the injury as minimal as possible.
How can a victim mitigate damages?
A victim can mitigate damages in many ways. When it comes to medical care, this means having treatments that the doctor recommends as long as other reasonable people would do the same thing. It’s possible to refuse medical care; however, there’s a chance that compensation would be lower because of the refusal.
For example, if a victim is told they need surgery and refuses, they might not receive compensation for the damages that could have been avoided if they had the surgery. This is an important factor to consider if the victim plans on seeking compensation.
Mitigating damages also extends to employment. This could mean training for a new job if the injury prevents the person from being able to return to their former job duties. Training for a new job can help to control the missed wages the person experiences.
Personal injury claims are often complex and should be handled carefully. Working with someone familiar with these matters may be beneficial for victims as they try to get the compensation they’re due.