Car accidents cause more than just property damage or physical harm. The injuries can leave you with medical bills, lost time at work and emotional stress.
For those seeking compensation for their injuries, pain and suffering is a term you may hear. However, it is a term that insurance companies are not in favor of.
Defining pain and suffering
The term pain and suffering refers to the total amount of pain you experience as a car accident victim. It can take the form of physical pain from bodily injury or emotional pain like depression and anxiety. This pain is eligible for compensation as non-economic damage. It means your damages do not have a specific dollar amount attached to them.
Economic damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, prescription medication and other expenses, are much easier to identify. These have a specific price tag and are often proven through receipts, invoices and other financial documentation. Insurance companies can easily see the cost of the accident.
Fighting for fair compensation
Because there is no price tag for non-economic loss, the amount awarded could vary. The more severe a car accident, the higher the payout tends to be. A victim with a long-term disability from a back injury is likely to receive more compensation than someone who fractured their wrist in the collision. The severity of the trauma also factors into dollar amounts, as it can impact emotional and mental anguish.
Fighting for fair compensation is always tough, but you may receive more pushback when you mention pain and suffering. It is a valid claim that the insurance company cannot ignore.