Car accidents can turn lives upside down in an instant. While the physical injuries and economic damages, such as medical bills and lost wages, are often clear, the less tangible effects—like pain and suffering—are just as real. Pain and suffering compensation is a critical component of personal injury cases, yet many people don’t understand how it’s calculated or why it matters. This blog dives into what pain and suffering mean, how it’s calculated, and why hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer is essential for maximizing your personal injury claim.
What Is Pain and Suffering in Personal Injury Cases?
Pain and suffering go beyond physical injuries. It includes the emotional and psychological toll a car accident takes on your quality of life. Mental anguish, loss of consortium (the loss of companionship or intimacy), and reduced ability to enjoy daily activities all fall under this category.
For example, if a car accident causes severe injuries that prevent you from working or participating in hobbies, these impacts are considered non-economic damages. A skilled personal injury lawyer can help ensure these damages are included in your personal injury lawsuit.
How Is Pain and Suffering Calculated?
Calculating pain and suffering isn’t as straightforward as adding up medical bills. It often involves subjective assessments.
Two common methods used are:
- Multiplier Method: This method involves multiplying your economic damages (like medical bills and lost wages) by a number, usually between 1.5 and 5, depending on the severity of your injuries and their impact on your life.
- Diem Method: Also known as the per diem method, this approach assigns a daily dollar amount to your pain and suffering, which is then multiplied by the number of days you are affected.
A personal injury lawyer can help determine which method applies best to your case and negotiate with the insurance company to secure fair pain and suffering compensation.
Proving Pain and Suffering
To succeed in a personal injury claim, proving pain and suffering is crucial. Documentation such as medical records, therapist notes, and even text messages or journal entries describing your experiences can strengthen your case. Statements from friends, family, or coworkers about changes in your behavior or quality of life may also be helpful.
By presenting a compelling case, your lawyer can show how the accident has affected your physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
Common Cases Where Pain and Suffering Is Significant
Pain and suffering aren’t exclusive to car accidents. Other personal injury cases, such as medical malpractice or workplace injuries, often include these damages. For example, a victim of medical malpractice may experience ongoing pain or mental anguish from a botched procedure.
No matter the case, hiring an experienced lawyer is key to ensuring you receive compensation for damages, including pain and suffering.
Why Grabb & Durando Is Your Best Choice for a Personal Injury Lawsuit
The hidden costs of car accidents, especially pain and suffering, can deeply affect a person’s life. At Grabb & Durando, we understand the complexities of personal injury cases and use proven strategies, such as the multiplier method, to calculate pain and suffering.
Our skilled attorneys will fight tirelessly to maximize your personal injury claim, proving your pain and suffering with strong evidence and expert negotiation. Don’t settle for less than you deserve.
