One of the many damages a person often suffers in a car accident is pain and suffering. If someone else was at fault for the accident, then you might be able to sue for compensation if you have suffered pain and suffering. However, because these damages are non-economic and generally do not involve physical evidence, many people have questions about how the process works. Keep reading to learn, and then contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 to request a free legal consultation.
The Basics of What Pain and Suffering Is
When a person experiences severe physical and emotional pain after being involved in a car accident, that is pain and suffering. Suffering can result from the physical pain itself or from scarring, disfigurement, and other long-term consequences of the accident. Additionally, if a person is not able to work in the long-term due to an accident, this can cause a loss of self-esteem, enjoyment of life, and other emotional pain.
Putting a Price on Pain and Suffering
Of course, one of the hardest parts of suing for pain and suffering is deciding what the value is. It is not easily quantifiable and it can be difficult to determine how much compensation would be fair. There is no set formula for this, but there are common-sense rules.
For example, a person who sprained their wrist and was back to full-use within a month would not request the same amount of pain and suffering that a person with a traumatic brain injury would. In short, the longer the effects of the injury will last, and the more severe your pain is, the more compensation you should request.
Proving Pain and Suffering
While it can be hard to prove pain and suffering, it is far from impossible. There are a number of ways we can go about doing so, including getting the opinion of medical experts who can confirm your pain and symptoms. We will also talk to your own doctors to get their evidence on the pain levels you suffered during treatment.
We could also talk to psychological experts who can evaluate both your mental and emotional state and then testify to any issues you are dealing with. We recommend keeping journals of your days to include pain levels and other facts that show your general feelings. We can talk to friends and family, and can show the medication you received as evidence of the seriousness of your injuries.
Call Today for a Free Legal Consultation
If you are not sure how to proceed after being the victim of a car accident, then we urge you to contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 to request a free legal consultation. We are here to help you find the best way forward – call today.
