Auto accidents can cause more than just physical damage. Sure, there is the damage to the body of your car, and possibly your own body. But some damage is intangible. The legal system refers to this type of damage as “pain and suffering,” and it is sometimes possible to receive compensation for it.
Victims of car accidents are frequently compensated for the costs of medical bills and auto repair. Valuing this type of damage is fairly simple—the insurance company or liable party will simply look at a quote or receipt. But when it comes to putting a price on your pain and suffering, there are several other factors to consider.
Assessing pain and suffering
Pain and suffering is very subjective. A car accident that causes emotional trauma for one person may seem minimal to another. Because of its subjectivity, it is very difficult to measure emotional or mental suffering with a standardized metric. When awarding compensation, the court will consider several factors aside from the costs of your medical and auto repair bills.
These are some of the factors that courts will use to evaluate your level of pain and suffering:
- The severity of your injuries
- How long it takes you to recover
- Whether you will miss work due to your injuries
- Whether you were disfigured by your accident
- The recommendations of doctors or mental health professionals
- The potential for long-term complications
Compensation for pain and suffering
Many people who suffered injuries in car accidents feel alone or helpless, but this is not necessary. Victims who are experiencing pain or suffering have the option of seeking legal counsel in order to receive compensation for their damages. Surviving a car accident is difficult enough, let alone dealing with potentially long-term pain and suffering.