Anyone injured in a car accident due to the negligence, fault, or wrongful conduct of another may sue for damages that include compensation for their pain and suffering. Pain and suffering covers a range of injuries that include the both the physical pain and the mental anguish that results from a personal injury. This includes suffering from fright and trauma after the accident, and other mental and emotional problems that may persist into the future, such as:
You can also sue for pain and suffering related to the humiliation, indignity, and embarrassment that may result from your injuries.
Other compensation can be available following a car accident caused by another’s negligence. You may be entitled to compensation for your economic or monetary costs, such as for damaged property, lost wages from being unable to work, and medical and rehabilitation bills. However, pain and suffering awards are to compensate for damages that do not have a specific dollar value, such as your physical pain and the mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life.
If you or a loved one has been hurt or someone has died in a vehicle crash, you should consult with a personal injury attorney who handles car accident cases as soon as possible. Alabama laws are complicated, and making mistakes can be costly. Also, insurance companies are out for profit and will try to get you to accept the lowest amount possible.
The value of pain and suffering damages is difficult to calculate, but the car accident lawyers at Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana know the courts, the judges, and the system, and will work aggressively in pursuing the settlement hat you deserve. We understand how insurance companies operate, and we are not afraid to take on insurance company lawyers. You can rely on our car accident attorneys to look out for your interests and fight for justice and the optimum compensation possible.
We offer a free, confidential consultation to discuss the individual circumstances of your case and determine the best way to proceed. We work on a contingency basis, so there are no fees until and unless we win your case. Call Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana today at (251) 444-7000.
How much compensation you get for pain and suffering varies greatly, depending on your individual situation and the factors involved. Pain and suffering damage awards are often greater than those for economic damages and may range from thousands to millions of dollars. In addition, the money benefits you directly to compensate for your lost quality of life.
In considering damage awards, Alabama courts itemize damages as past, future, or punitive damages, and you may be awarded noneconomic damages in any one or more of those categories. There is no standard to compensate for pain and suffering, so the amount is left to the judgment and discretion of the jury in each case to decide what is fair and reasonable.
To increase chances of your being fairly compensated, you should keep a record of the frequency, severity and duration of your pain and the emotional distress you are undergoing. Take photos and videos of your injuries and keep a daily journal and record information on:
In addition, it is important to get testimony from:
This information is essential when dealing with an insurance claims adjuster, a mediator, or a jury or judge to convince them of the need for a maximum damage award. The more categories of pain and suffering you are experiencing and the more permanent and serious your symptoms are, the more your case may be worth.
Other factors that may affect the amount of your settlement include:
Getting optimum compensation for pain and suffering is difficult, but you can count on our attorneys to aggressively fight for what you deserve. Call us today at 251-444-7000 to get started.
Since there are no fixed dollar amounts for pain and suffering, the skill of your attorney is particularly important. Our lawyers know how to build your case to prove another party was at fault and is liable for your damages, find witnesses for testimony, and negotiate with insurance companies for maximum compensation. Most cases are settled out of court, but we are fully prepared to take your case to trial if necessary.
We can help by:
If you or a loved one has been injured or someone has died in a car accident, it’s important to call our lawyers as soon as possible. According to Ala. Code § 6-2-38 (l), Alabama has a statute of limitations that sets deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits. For injuries sustained in an accident, a lawsuit must generally be filed within two years. If the injuries were inflicted intentionally, the victim has up to six years to file. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can get to work on your case while evidence is fresh and witnesses can be found.
To schedule your free case evaluation, contact a lawyer at Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana by calling (251) 444-7000 today.