The short answer is “yes.” You can absolutely receive compensation for your pain and suffering after an auto accident. The real question is, “how much?”
Being involved in a car accident makes a major impact on your daily life. Along with physical injuries, damages to your vehicle and loss of wages, an auto collision can take its toll on you with emotional pain and suffering.
According to California law, those who have been injured due to negligence of others have the right to recover damages for both economic and non-economic losses. By working with an experienced personal injury lawyer, you can determine the amount of compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering and get help recovering those damages.
What is Included in Pain and Suffering?
Any loss you’ve suffered in relation to the collision can be considered pain and suffering. The defendant can and should be held financially responsible for these damages.
In California, this can include:
- Disfigurement
- Physical Impairment
- Anxiety
- Emotional Distress
- Grief
- Humiliation
- Past and future physical pain
- Past and future mental suffering
- Past and future loss of the enjoyment of life
These losses are intangible, which makes it harder to calculate the damages. A personal injury attorney can help you determine how much compensation you are entitled to and present the evidence to the courts.
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help You Recover Pain and Suffering Damages at Trial?
To recover damages for pain and suffering, your lawyer will need to present strong evidence at trial. It’s important for you to be open with your lawyer and disclose any suffering you may have experienced as a result of the accident or your injuries. For example, if you are an avid swimmer and were unable to swim for a long period of time due to the collision, be sure your lawyer knows. Don’t hold back any small ways your life has been negatively impacted by the accident.
There are several factors that insurance companies take into consideration when determining your compensation, such as:
- Severity of your injuries
- The type of pain and discomfort that people normally suffer from your type of injuries
- How your life, job and relationships have been affected by your injuries
- How long it will take for your injuries to heal
- If your injury with require additional care in the future
Make a list of every way you’ve been negatively affected and present it to your lawyer without holding back. Share everything openly so your legal representation can help you get the fair compensation you deserve.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been involved in a car accident and need help with your claim, contact the Law Offices of Michael A. Rabban at 818-272-8882 or visit www.rabbanlaw.com
