How Much Do You Get for Pain and Suffering in a Car Accident?

If you get hurt in a car accident, you may be entitled to damages. It really depends on how serious your injuries are. It also depends on whether or not your injuries cause long-term issues. This is why it’s so important that you retain an experienced Louisiana car accident attorney.

If you’ve ever watch television shows about lawyers, you may recall seeing people get millions of dollars for their car accident lawsuits. This rarely ever happens in real life. You don’t walk into a courtroom wearing a neck brace and walk out with a million-dollar check.

In order to recover damages, you have to suffer actual injuries. If you weren’t hurt, no lawyer worth his salt is going to take your case. He doesn’t want to waste your time and his suing somebody for no reason.

If you have suffered legitimate damages, including physical injuries, you may be entitled to pain and suffering.

A Car Accident Lawyer Understands What Pain and Suffering Means

 

There are two main types of damages – economic and non-economic. Economic damages are things that you want to be repaid for – this includes medical bills, lost wages and property damages.

Non-economic damages are things that you can’t really put a price on. Pain and suffering are the main type of non-economic damages. You can’t provide receipts to show how much pain you were in. There isn’t a bill showing what kind of emotional trauma you’ve suffered.

Emotion and physical trauma are the main types of pain and suffering. If you suffer long-term effects from your car accident, you should be compensated for it.

Pain and suffering represent the following:

  • The actual physical pain you were in after the accident and during your recovery
  • Any mental anguish experienced as a result of the accident
  • Anxiety and depression that is caused by the accident
  • The inability to enjoy life the way you did prior to the accident

Your Louisiana car accident attorney will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

Your Louisiana Car Accident Attorney Know How Pain and Suffering are Determined

 

When it comes to pain and suffering, there are certain factors you must take into account. These are the same factors the jury will take into account if you need to go to trial. Your lawyer will craft your case based on proving these things:

  • The extent of your physical injuries
  • How long you were out of work
  • Whether you can still play sports you played before the accident
  • Are you able to engage in social activities like you used to?
  • How long did your physical recovery take?
  • Did you suffer any mental or emotional stress as a result of the accident?

If you testify, your lawyer will ask you questions about all of these things. The jury likes to hear directly from the plaintiff. You can explain how your life has changed for the worse as a result of the car accident.

How Will Your Louisiana Car Accident Attorney Prove Pain and Suffering?

 

As much as your attorney will claim you are injured, the defendant’s attorney will claim that you aren’t. Your attorney will have his work cut out for him. He will have to actually prove that you experienced pain and suffering.

Your Louisiana car accident attorney will prove your pain and suffering in different ways. Some of his tactics will include:

  • Statements from your friends and family
  • Testimony by your doctor
  • Affidavits from a psychiatrist or psychologist
  • Proof of your permanent disability
  • Your own testimony

If your case goes to trial, you’ll have to convince a jury that you’ve been in pain.

Hopefully, your case won’t go to trial. More than 90% of all cases are settled long before trial. Neither side wants to go to court. It can be time consuming and expensive. And, both sides take a risk of losing if the case goes to trial.

The defendant’s attorney understands this risk as well. He understands that you may not get as much as you want if you settle, but it’s in your best interests. You could go to court and lose. If this happens, you’ll get nothing.

Contact a Louisiana Car Accident Attorney Today

 

If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, you need to contact a Louisiana car accident attorney today. You need to focus on recovering from your injuries. Let your lawyer deal with the legal side of things.

Call today and schedule your initial consultation. It’s absolutely free and you pay nothing until you settle your case.