Good Fences And Not So Good Neighbors: Property Law 101

Pain And Suffering: What To Expect From Your Personal Injury Case

13 July 2016 by Hunter Moore

You may already understand what to expect from your personal injury claim when it comes to medical expenses, lost wages and loss of personal property, but what is meant by "pain and suffering"? This term is a catch-all for mental and emotional injuries you have suffered due to an accident that was not your fault. It may be difficult to imagine how anyone could put a price on such an injury, but insurance companies can and do on a regular basis. Read on to learn more about what pain and suffering is and how you can be compensated for it with a personal injury claim.

What is Pain and Suffering?

Physical manifestations of an auto accident are obvious, and records of your medical treatment for those injuries will serve as proof of your broken bones and lacerations, or worse. Some of the most serious injuries, however, cannot be seen on an x-ray. The emotional fallout from a traumatic event like a car accident can cause continuous issues that affect every aspect of both you and your family's lives. These emotional scars can linger long after your physical injuries have healed, making it a challenge to work and enjoy your life. Some of these emotional issues include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Mood Swings
• Uncontrolled anger/angry outbursts
• Problems sleeping
• Changes in appetite
• PTSD (post traumatic stress syndrome)

Getting Compensated for Pain and Suffering

Since your emotional symptoms are more difficult to prove and observe, steps must be taken to show how the accident has impacted your life.

1. A journal, often recommended as an excellent coping tool by mental health experts, can also give you a form for recording the emotional impact of the accident. As you struggle to regain some normalcy, take time to record your feelings and day-to-day problems associated with the accident.

2. Seek mental health care from a professional, stay in treatment and comply with all treatment recommendations, such as group therapy or medication.

3. Keep careful medical records, since the dollar amount of all of your medical expenses are a key part of the pain and suffering computation.

Pain and Suffering Calculations

Insurance companies use several factors to determine a "ball park" amount to offer accident victims, including:

• The dollar amount of your medical expenses, which are multiplied by a certain number depending on the seriousness of the injuries.
• The amount of fault that may be shared with both parties. In some accidents, you may share some fault.
• The amount of recent settlements in cases similar to yours in your local area.

To learn more about pain and suffering, contact a personal injury lawyer. 

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