After an accident, you may find yourself surprised by all the ways your car accident can impact your life. Your injuries are painful, and you may even need extensive medical care, but there may be no way you can afford the care you need on your own. In addition to your medical bills, you may need to fix your car and pay for other things, but you may also find you are unable to work for a period of time.
The consequences of a car accident can be both expensive and extensive. You may find yourself suffering in more ways than those just involving your finances. The mental trauma and emotional duress of an accident can also be significant, and even though you can’t really put a price tag on those things, you can seek reasonable damages for them.
What is pain and suffering?
Pain and suffering includes the non-economic ways your accident has taken a toll on your life. While it’s not easy to know what the dollar value of your suffering may be, there are ways you can pursue damages to compensate you for what you experienced. When considering pain and suffering damages, a court may take the following things into consideration:
- How bad your injury is and how much it affects your ability to live normally
- The extent to which your injury will affect your ability to work and support yourself
- Medical care you currently need and care you may need down the road
- Whether damage caused by your accident injuries is permanent and if you have scarring
It is likely that a serious car accident will impact your life in various ways for years to come. This is why it is beneficial to carefully consider settlement offers before accepting. It is likely that it does not represent the true value of your case. You have the right to negotiate a fair settlement or file a lawsuit to pursue the full amount you deserve.
Start with the right step
Most people don’t know what to do after a car accident. Others may not know they could have a rightful claim to pain and suffering damages through a personal injury claim. This is why it is beneficial for you to seek the guidance of an experienced attorney who understands Louisiana’s civil justice system and knows how to advocate for the rights of victims. With the right steps, you can secure what you need to start putting the pieces back together and moving forward after a motor vehicle accident.