If you have been in injured in a car wreck that was not your fault, you may be in negotiations now the the other driver's insurance company for your compensation. Your compensation should include your medical expenses, lost wages and personal property, vehicle damage and pain and suffering.
You know how to put a price tag on medical expenses, etc., but how do you know how much to ask for for pain and suffering?
What is Pain and Suffering?
Being injured in an accident can have far-reaching effects on your life. The physical as well as emotional effects of the accident impact your day-to-day life, and the your family's life. Pain and suffering encompasses all those issues that can be connected to your accident and include sleeping problems, appetite problems, depression, anxiety and more. Even if your physical injuries have begun to heal, the emotional impact of being in an accident can linger for much longer.
Insurance companies use a mathematical formula to arrive at a figure to offer you for your pain and suffering; usually based on the severity of your physical injuries, length of hospital stay, the amount of your medical expenses, etc. Other factors that are considered are:
- Amounts awarded in your local area to similar cases.
- How much, if any, fault you shared in the cause of the accident.
- The doctor's opinion of how long you may continue to be affected by your injuries.
What Can you Do?
The measurement of pain and suffering can be difficult, and sometimes will be the result of how skillful you are at documenting and expressing the extent of your damages. It may be helpful to take a few steps on your own:
- Keep a journal of your emotional issues due to the accident. You may include entries like: "Still not sleeping well, had nightmares again last night; medication not helping. So tired I cannot work today".
- Get treatment from a licensed mental health professional, preferably a psychologist or a psychiatrist. Make sure you keep all receipts for your appointments.
Your pain and suffering may seem so overwhelming that it's difficult to contemplate ever feeling normal again. You have the right to get compensated for your injuries, including your pain and suffering. Money may not make your problem go away, but it could help to ensure that you continue to get good mental health care.
Negotiating with the other parties' insurance company can be nearly impossible when you are suffering from the effects of your accident. Contact a personal injury attorney for help in getting through this stressful time and trust him to make sure that you get fairly compensated for your pain and suffering and for your other expenses. To learn more, contact an auto accident attorney for more information and help.
