Physical injuries are just one form of suffering after a car accident. Many car accident victims experience psychological changes that can be equally debilitating. If you’re dealing with these struggles, you could recover compensation for pain and suffering from the responsible parties. Our pain and suffering car accident attorneys in Huntsville are ready to fight for the maximum compensation you deserve for all your losses.
With decades of experience and over $125 million recovered for our past clients, the law firm of Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., wants to help you seek compensation for your pain and suffering after a car accident. Our award-winning legal team works on contingency, with no upfront costs, and you pay only if we win.
Contact our pain and suffering lawyers today for a free consultation.
What Is Pain and Suffering After an Auto Accident?
A car accident can have a significant impact on your physical and mental health. Pain and suffering are the terms that refer to physical and emotional distress that often includes:
- Chronic pain from injuries
- Emotional trauma such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Anxiety, including panic attacks
- Depression caused by lifestyle changes
- Loss of enjoyment in daily activities
- Difficulty maintaining relationships
Lingering mental and physical distress affects nearly every aspect of your daily routine. Here are some real-world examples of how a car accident could impact both your work and personal life:
- If you have a physically demanding job, back, neck, or leg injuries might prevent you from lifting heavy materials. You might have to change careers or stop working altogether.
- If your job requires intense concentration after a head injury, your work performance could suffer, leading to potential job loss.
- If your injuries result in limited mobility, you might be unable to play with your children or participate in family activities.
- If you are struggling with anxiety, insomnia, or depression, you might withdraw from social interactions, leading to increased emotional distress.
How Much Is Pain and Suffering Worth?
Unlike medical bills for physical injuries that are clear, tangible costs, pain and suffering are subjective. Several factors influence how much these injuries might be worth, including:
- The severity, nature, and permanence of your injuries
- The length of your recovery and rehabilitation time
- The impact on your daily life and relationships
- The psychological toll of the accident
- The need for therapy and counseling
How to Calculate Pain and Suffering Damages
There is no universal formula for determining pain and suffering damages or a standard amount awarded to accident victims in personal injury lawsuits. However, insurance companies and lawyers need some standard for calculating compensation. Here is an overview of the two most commonly used methods:
The Multiplier Method
This approach multiplies your total economic losses (medical bills, lost wages, etc.) by a number, usually between 1.5 and 5, depending on the severity of your injuries.
For example, if you have severe injuries and your medical expenses total $10,000, the multiplier might be three. Your compensation for pain and suffering would be $30,000 ($10,000 times 3). For milder injuries and medical expenses totaling $2,500, the multiplier might be 1.5. Your compensation for pain and suffering would be $3,750 in this situation.
The Per Diem Method
The per diem method assigns a daily value to your pain and suffering, usually based on what you earn in a workday. The daily rate is multiplied by how many days you experience pain and suffering.
For example, if you earn $200 a day at your job and experience pain and suffering for 90 days following your accident, your per diem compensation would be $18,000 ($200 times 90 days).
However, this method may not always provide an accurate estimate. If you work a gig-based job where your earnings fluctuate, assigning a fixed daily value can be more complex. Similarly, if you are a stay-at-home parent, your time doesn’t have a direct paycheck value, but a lawyer can argue for an appropriate per diem rate based on childcare and household management demands.
Our experienced attorneys for pain and suffering can help determine the best approach for your specific circumstances.
Physical and Emotional Symptoms of Pain and Suffering
Many accident victims struggle with a range of physical and emotional symptoms that affect their well-being.
Physical Symptoms
These symptoms can drastically alter your quality of life and include examples such as:
- Chronic physical pain in affected areas
- Limited mobility or permanent disability
- Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
- Frequent headaches or migraines
- Fatigue from prolonged recovery
Emotional Symptoms
Emotional trauma is often a result of a car accident. Symptoms of emotional trauma include:
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Changes in sleep or eating patterns, including insomnia, nightmares, eating too much or not eating enough
- Depression and mood swings
- PTSD
- Social isolation and withdrawal
- Fear of driving or riding in a car
Documenting and Proving Your Pain and Suffering After an Auto Accident
Pain and suffering are a documented result of injuries, natural disasters, and other traumatic illnesses and events. However, documenting and proving your pain and suffering to the insurance company is another matter. Our Huntsville pain and suffering lawyers understand what type of documentation and evidence supports your claim and can take care of the following:
- Gathering medical records from your doctors about your physical injuries and prognosis
- Coordinating with therapists or mental health counselors about your emotional distress
- Helping you establish a daily journal that details your post-accident struggles
- Collecting statements from family members, friends, and colleagues who can speak to the changes in your physical and emotional health
How Our Huntsville Car Accident Lawyers Can Help with Your Pain and Suffering Claim
Insurance companies often try to minimize pain and suffering compensation. Our attorneys for pain and suffering in Huntsville understand how to build solid personal injury claims and have a strong track record in obtaining significant compensation for our clients. Here is a quick look at how we can help:
- Evaluate your personal injury claim — We assess your injuries, emotional distress, and financial losses to determine a fair compensation value.
- Examine evidence — We build a compelling case with input from medical professionals, therapists, and witnesses.
- Handle negotiations — We’ll negotiate aggressively to seek a settlement that fairly compensates you for all your losses.
- Represent you in court — We’re prepared to fight for you in court if necessary.
You need an experienced pain and suffering attorney to fight for your best interests. Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., has recovered over $125 million in compensation for our clients. Find out how our experience and resources can provide the support you need to move forward.
Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney.
