When someone is injured in a car accident due to another party’s negligence, they may be entitled to compensation for their losses and impairments.
While economic damages like medical expenses and lost wages are relatively straightforward to calculate, non-economic injuries, such as pain and suffering, may be more challenging to quantify.
However, these harms are a critical component of a personal injury claim and can significantly impact the overall compensation an injury victim receives.
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Pain and suffering damages are intended to compensate an injury victim for the physical and emotional distress they have endured as a result of their injuries. Since this is a particularly challenging issue, the help of an experienced car accident attorney is indispensable in such cases. These impairments may encompass various aspects of the injury experience, including:
Type of Damage |
Description |
Physical Pain and Discomfort |
This includes the immediate physical and emotional anguish experienced during the accident, as well as the ongoing ache and discomfort associated with the injuries, medical treatments, and recovery process. |
Emotional Distress |
Car accidents are traumatic experiences, leading to emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Physical and emotional anguish impairment payouts may compensate for these emotional impacts. |
Loss of Enjoyment of Life |
Injuries from a car accident can prevent individuals from participating in activities and hobbies they once enjoyed, resulting in a diminished quality of life. These losses are considered when calculating pain and suffering damages. |
Disfigurement or Permanent Disability |
Severe injuries may lead to permanent disfigurement or disabilities, which can have a profound impact on an individual’s self-esteem, relationships, and overall well-being. These factors are taken into account when determining physical and emotional anguish injuries. |
Impact on Personal Relationships |
Severe injuries can strain personal relationships, including with spouses/partners, children, and other family members or close friends. The emotional toll and potential loss of companionship, intimacy, and support from loved ones due to injuries sustained in the accident could be considered part of the physical and emotional anguish experienced by the victim. |
Unlike economic damages, which can be calculated based on tangible expenses and lost income, physical and emotional anguish impairments are subjective and may vary significantly from case to case. Several factors are considered when determining the appropriate amount of compensation for these non-economic injuries, including:
Proving and securing fair compensation for pain and suffering damages are challenging without the guidance of an experienced personal injury attorney. Here’s how an attorney can assist:
It’s important to note that physical and emotional anguish impairments are subject to specific laws and regulations in Massachusetts, which may impact the amount that can be recovered. An experienced personal injury attorney will be well-versed in these laws and ensure that their clients’ rights are protected throughout the claims process. That is why you, as a victim, need to take a responsible approach to choosing a lawyer. To know what exactly to look for, you can read how to choose the best car accident attorney on dedicated educational portals.
To sum up, pain and suffering harms are subjective and may vary significantly from case to case. However, with the help of an experienced personal injury attorney, injury victims can effectively present their case and secure fair compensation for the physical and emotional anguish they have endured.
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