Car accidents can be traumatic experiences. While medical treatment can help you recover to the fullest possible extent, you may still experience significant physical pain even after undergoing treatment. In addition, you may suffer from lingering psychological and emotional effects caused by the trauma of the collision.
With the help of an experienced Georgia car accident lawyer, you can pursue compensation for your pain and suffering along with your lost wages, medical expenses, and more.
What Is Pain and Suffering?
“Pain and suffering” is a term that encompasses the wide range of physical, emotional, and psychological effects that may result from an accident. It includes what you experience in the immediate aftermath of a collision and what you experience over the long term. Some examples of pain and suffering include:
- Chronic pain
- Disfigurement
- Physical impairment
- Cognitive impairment
- Mental anguish or emotional pain
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of quality of life
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Your immediate medical needs following an accident may be very apparent and thus relatively straightforward to address, even if the procedures themselves are complex and time-consuming. Determining the cost of treating physical injuries and pursuing compensation in personal injury lawsuits is as straightforward as tallying your medical bills. Calculating pain and suffering compensation, however, is a bit more complicated.
How Are Pain and Suffering Awards Calculated?
When it comes to how to calculate pain and suffering in a personal injury claim, there are a couple of methods that may be used. One is the multiplier method, in which your medical bills are added up, and pain and suffering is determined by multiplying that amount by a number between one point five and five, depending on the severity of your injuries and how long they’re likely to affect you.
The other approach to pain and suffering calculations is the per diem method, in which the number of days your injuries are likely to affect you is multiplied by a dollar amount, usually based on your daily income, to arrive at a total.
Can I Receive Compensation for Pain and Suffering in Georgia?
You may be eligible to receive pain and suffering damages if another party’s negligence caused your injuries and you file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. If you cannot negotiate a fair settlement, you could file a lawsuit within two years of the accident date to pursue compensation in court.
It’s important to note that Georgia does not place a cap on pain and suffering damages in personal injury claims, so the amount you may be able to receive can vary considerably. Any amount you’re awarded will depend on several factors unique to your case.
One factor affecting your ability to pursue compensation in a personal injury lawsuit is whether you were partially at fault for the accident. Georgia’s comparative negligence law prevents anyone who is 50 percent or more at fault from receiving compensation. If you were less than 50 percent at fault, you can obtain compensation for your personal injury damages, but it will be reduced by your percentage of fault for the accident.
Reach Out to an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney in Georgia Today
If you’ve been injured in a car accident and are experiencing physical, emotional, or psychological pain and suffering, you may be entitled to seek pain and suffering damages. Contact Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC, today to learn more about your legal options during a free consultation. Our experienced personal injury lawyers are committed to helping our clients pursue the compensation they need and the justice they deserve.
