After a car crash, there are many types of damages that the affected party has the right to access. People always prioritize the economic costs such as medical bills since they are the most important. However, the amount awarded for that may not be enough so one may go ahead and request more compensation. The best way to get more out of your Augusta, GA claim is through non-economic damages. These compensations include unquantifiable damages, including things like pain and suffering. Many people request payment for their suffering since they sustained injury due to the accident. The only major problem with this damage is that it is difficult to measure it.
In many cases, the affected don’t end up with a significant amount of money. That is because they did not provide adequate proof as to why they need compensation. However, there is a way to ensure that you get the most out of your claim through your lawyer. By hiring an expert attorney for your application, there is certainty that he will get you the compensation you desire.
What Is Pain and Suffering According to a Car Accident Lawyer in Augusta, GA?
It means any hurt that the affected has gone through due to injuries. For example, if after a car accident, one breaks several bones in their body, they will experience suffering. Throughout their treatment, they may experience actual physical pain that may cause them discomfort. It can also be defined as mental and emotional anguish, loss of enjoyment of life due to injuries.
Since this is a feeling, it is difficult to quantify it. However, there are various methods which insurance adjusters and the court use. The methods base the calculations on the other damages suffered to reach the final value of suffering.
How Does a Car Accident Attorney Determine Pain and Suffering?
Your Augusta, GA attorney should do an estimation of the damage to know what to expect. Lawyers, as well as adjusters, have developed various methods as highlighted below.
The Seriousness of the Injuries
They look at how severe your injuries are and how they are affecting your life. Therefore, if you have more severe injuries, then you will likely receive more compensation.
Pain Due to the Injuries
Some injuries may be quite severe but they are not painful nor do they offer too much discomfort. However, other injuries may restrict you from living your life. As a result, the latter gets more in damages compared to the less painful injuries.
Length of Time to Heal
They will look at how long the injuries may take to heal. Those injuries that take longer to heal or do not completely heal get awarded more damages.
Impact on Life
Some people get injuries in an Augusta, GA accident, but their lives remain pretty much the same. However, there are some whose lives change entirely due to the injuries. These instances could include the use of a wheelchair, inability to drive and inability to work. The adjusters will check how this aspect has changed your life and that of your family’s to determine compensation.
Methods of Calculating Pain and Suffering
For a more accurate figure, they do some calculations taking into consideration the mentioned factors. They also check the other damages as a basis for the calculations.
The Multiplier
Initially, the adjusters and lawyers would triple the cost of treatment to get the value of pain and suffering. However, this changed. Instead, they consider the factors that determine pain and suffering. Depending on whether the elements are significant, they multiply the cost of treatment by a number between 1.5 and 5.
By the Day Method
They use a daily rate to determine the amount of pain and suffering. That means that they will calculate a reasonable price that is paid daily from the day of the injury. This continues till when you are expected to be all better. They determine the daily rate in various ways such as using software or the daily wage of the affected.
To determine the final value of your pain and suffering both methods are used to get a figure. The damages awarded may help you not only cover extra medical costs but also take care of your family. However, before you can reach this point, you need the best car accident lawyer Augusta GA to represent you. Ted A. Greve & Associates have excellent lawyers that are ready to serve you. We will agree on what you want and not give up until we get it.
