Damages For Pain And Suffering

You may have heard of pain and suffering damages being added to accident lawsuits to balloon the damage awards exponentially. While this isn’t always the case, pain and suffering compensation can increase the value of your claim and is the only legal remedy available for this type of damage. Here’s what to understand about damages before you file a suit. 

Car Accident Damages 101  

Economic damages are the most basic and foundational component of a car accident lawsuit. These include straightforward, quantifiable expenses like doctor bills, medication costs, surgery, vehicle repair or replacement, and lost wages from being unable to go to work while injured. Your attorney can add those expenses to the overall value of your accident claim.

How Does Pain and Suffering Get Added to a Car Accident Claim? 

As the victim of a car accident caused by the carelessness of another driver, you deserve some amount of financial compensation for any suffering and pain you endured. If you were unable to return to work, had great difficulty completing day to day tasks, and were in extreme pain during healing, this should be taken into consideration when determining if you’re eligible for pain and suffering compensation and if so, how much.

How Do Judges Determine What to Award for Pain and Suffering? 

Non-economic damages, including suffering and pain, are usually much harder to calculate. There is no itemized bill that explains how much the pain is worth, meaning it’s open to interpretation by your legal team and the judge presiding over the case. Your lawyer may use a multiplier to increase the amount of your economic damages to reflect the severity of your injury or may assign a monetary value to each day you had to deal with physical, mental, or emotional pain. Your personal injury lawyer can help you gather evidence that will make your case for full and fair compensation more compelling by fully illustrating the degree of suffering you had to endure. 

How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help 

Being involved in a car accident is a devastating experience. If you or a family member has become a victim of a negligent driver, an attorney can help you secure the compensation you need to cover expenses for your medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle damage. You may also be able to receive restitution for the pain and suffering you’ve had to endure. Call Appalachian Injury Law today to learn more or to schedule a consultation at 800-393-8595.