A car accident often leads to stress and unanswered questions. More than likely, injuries are involved in a car accident case, including mental trauma. Following an accident, the injured victim will seek to be compensated by the negligent party, including both economic and non-economic damages. Unlike a physical injury, pain and suffering is intangible, making it difficult to quantify.
How are Damages Calculated in a Personal Injury Case?
In a personal injury case, the court looks at the injured victim’s costs and lost expenses to establish a dollar amount for compensation. Special damages are the tangible amounts, such as medical bills, lost wages, and auto repair bills. Special damages are the financial losses an injured victim suffers from, and there is typically a concrete number.
General damages include the expenses that are not quantified, and they do not have a specific dollar amount attached to them. For this reason, it is difficult to calculate such amount because every case is unique.
What Does the Court Consider in a Personal Injury Case?
In order to prove pain and suffering, the court looks at a myriad of details concerning the case, including the severity of the injury and the length of recovery time. The court may also look at the victim’s career and lifestyle to determine the extent of the injury.
How can I Strengthen My Case?
Immediately following the accident, an injured victim should seek medical help. Documentation is important, especially when medical professionals record all of the details about the injury. Insurance companies and the court will most likely rule that the injury was not serious if the victim did not seek medical attention. The doctor’s diagnosis and treatment plan are important details, as well as any medication prescribed to the victim because of the accident.
Any records of therapy or counseling can help prove pain and suffering, as well as a victim’s journal following the accident. Family and friends are also suggested to document their observations of the victim after the accident and how it has adversely affected them.
The victim should also keep records of their lost wages. Any communication they had with their employer concerning the accident is important to document. Losing money and the inability to work is mentally stressful for a victim.
Recovery after a collision can take weeks or months. Keeping the correct documentation of an injury and hiring a lawyer are important steps to take to prove pain and suffering.
Washington, D.C. Car Accident Lawyers at the Law Offices of Duane O. King Help Clients Obtain Pain and Suffering Damages
A car accident can adversely affect all parts of a victim’s life. If you wish to recover pain and suffering damages in your case, contact a Washington, D.C. car accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Duane O. King. For a free consultation, complete our online form or call us at 202-331-1963. Located in Washington, D.C., we serve clients throughout Prince George’s County, including Laurel, Beltsville, Adelphi, College Park, Greenbelt, Mitchellville, Woodmore, Greater Upper Marlboro, Springdale, Largo, Bowie, Capitol Heights, District Heights, Forestville, Suitland, and Seat Pleasant, Clinton, Oxon Hill, Temple Hills, and Fort Washington.
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