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Compensation for Pain and Suffering After a Car Accident

Posted on behalf of James Lynch on October 12, 2017  in Car Accident News. Updated on February 24, 2022

pain and sufferingIf you have been injured in a car accident, it is imperative that you contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. It does not matter if the other party involved in the accident is completely at fault or partially at fault. If you suspect another person or institution’s actions played any part in the accident, you have the potential to recover compensation.

Our New Jersey car accident attorneys are here to maximize your compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, lost time at work and other related expenses. Contact us today to schedule a free, no obligation consultation to learn more about how we can help you. We work only on a contingency fee basis and do not charge legal fees unless you recover compensation.

How to Calculate Pain and Suffering

There is no straightforward formula to calculate pain and suffering, as this type of compensation is difficult to quantify. There are no receipts, bills or other documentation, and the amount of money awarded depends on the details of the individual’s injury and experiences.

Everything from the extent of the victim’s injuries to the cost of medical bills and the budget of the insurance company play a part in shaping the amount of compensation. If you do not obtain medical treatment following your car accident yet claim to have endured pain and suffering, obtaining compensation will prove challenging. Medical records including analysis of the injury by a medical professional will certainly help in your quest for justice.

Factors that play a part in calculating compensation for pain and suffering include:

  • The extent to which the pain/suffering interferes with the victim’s enjoyment of life
  • Interference with normal living
  • The shock of the impact
  • Mental anguish
  • Limitations on activities
  • Impairment of physical health and vigor
  • Inability to work

Pain and suffering extends beyond physical pain and includes everything from emotional trauma to one’s inability to earn money and enjoy life.

Evidence to Support a Pain and Suffering Claim

Because of the difficulty of placing a monetary value on the pain and suffering an individual has experienced, evidence will play an important role in determining the amount of compensation for such trauma.

The following evidence will be important for your claim:

  • Photographs of injuries related to the car accident
  • Medical bills
  • Medical records
  • Medications prescribed to treat causally related injuries
  • Documentation from the victim’s employer to prove lost time at work

This extensive list of documentation is precisely why car accident victims must gather as much evidence as possible in the aftermath of an auto accident. Your word alone will not suffice.

Because of this, you should begin documenting the accident and your injuries immediately after the accident.

  • If you have a smart phone on-hand, take pictures of your injuries following the accident. It will also help to take pictures of the damaged vehicles and the accident scene.
  • Call the police so the accident can be officially documented by a respected authority.
  • If you have any sort of physical or mental pain that even has the slightest potential to relate to the car accident, obtain medical attention right away. This treatment and any resulting diagnoses, drug prescriptions, or suggested medical equipment or devices must also be documented. This is the evidence you need to prove the auto accident really did spur the need for medical treatment, medication, medical equipment and/or other forms of assistance.
  • If you miss time at work, obtain documentation from your human resources department so you have evidence to prove the auto accident prevented you from earning money.

Contact Our Trusted Car Accident Lawyers

The aftermath of an auto accident is stressful, dramatic and unsettling. Your focus should be on recuperating your body and mind, getting back to work, and returning your life to normal.

Let a personal injury lawyer from our law firm handle the details of your claim. We will gather evidence, negotiate with opposing counsel and advocate on your behalf to help maximize your compensation. Contact Lynch Law Firm, PC today to schedule a free, no obligation consultation.

Call (800) 518-0508 .

* Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

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