How much your pain and suffering is worth in your car accident depends on the type of anguish you experienced, the extent of your injuries, and your state’s laws. There is no average for how much pain and suffering is worth in a car accident, but a personal injury lawyer can give you a better understanding of the compensation you could be entitled to receive after evaluating your losses.
Types of Pain and Suffering
You will most likely have medical bills, lost wages, and property damage from the car accident, but you can easily determine those costs from receipts and pay stubs. Pain and suffering, however, is among the noneconomic damages you can claim, because it is more difficult to calculate.
These are some types of pain and suffering you might experience following a car crash.
Physical Pain
You might be able to recover compensation for the physical pain you suffered. The extent of your injuries can help determine how much you could receive for your physical pain.
For example, your physical pain award will likely be higher if you had to undergo invasive surgery rather than if you broke a finger.
Mental Anguish
Car accidents can also cause a significant amount of stress, not only from your injuries but also from the mounting bills. If you suffer from depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, or another mental health issue because of the accident, you might recover compensation.
Disfigurement and Disability
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), between 20 to 50 million people suffer injuries in car accidents, and many end up with permanent disabilities.
If you suffered the loss of a limb, excessive scarring, or have a permanent disability like paralysis, you might recover compensation. You might be able to place a value on the wages lost, or how much you will need to cover disability costs. However, the noneconomic damages related to disfigurement or disability include how your loss affects your quality of life, mental well-being, and more.
For example, if you can no longer participate in hobbies and activities you once did because of your injuries, you could recover compensation.
Loss of Consortium
If your family relationships deteriorate because of your injuries, you might be able to recover compensation. For example, if you are unable to provide the love, comfort, or companionship you once did with your spouse, this loss could be included in your financial recovery.
It might help place a value on your pain and suffering if you keep a log of how you feel, how people treat you, how you treat others, and the activities you can and cannot do each day.
Damage Caps on Pain and Suffering
Most states place a damages cap on pain and suffering, limiting the amount of money you can recover for the physical and emotional effects of your accident. The caps limit juries on what they can award a plaintiff who suffers extensive injuries.
There may be exceptions to these rules, and it might benefit you to consult with an attorney who knows your state’s laws regarding noneconomic damages.
A Lawyer Can Evaluate Your Damages
Estimating what your pain and suffering damages are worth in a car accident case can be difficult on your own. Consulting a lawyer might help you calculate the full value of your claim.
Our car accident attorneys can use several formulas to determine how much your pain and suffering is worth. They can then negotiate your claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company and, if needed, argue your case at trial in front of a jury.
Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC, Today
Ben Crump Law, PLLC, understands that the time following a car accident can put extraordinary stress on you and your family. However, you should not have to pay for the medical bills and property damage you incurred and make up for the wages you lost because of someone else’s negligent actions.
If someone else’s recklessness caused your accident, you might be entitled to recover compensation. You do not have to go through the legal process alone. A member of our team can tell you how much your pain and suffering is worth in a car accident and fight for the compensation you deserve.
We do not accept payment for court costs or attorney’s fees upfront or out-of-pocket. We only take our payment as a percentage of the settlement or judgment you would receive if we win your case.
Get started on your free, no-risk consultation by calling us today at (844) 730-0233.
