A car accident in Connecticut may have left you with serious injuries and no vehicle. If the other driver caused the crash, then you may file a personal injury claim. One of the things you should know is that a successful claim may cover more than just your medical expenses and vehicle repair or replacement costs. One form of noneconomic, or general, damages that you can seek is pain and suffering.
PAIN AND SUFFERING CAN BE SUBJECTIVE
Of course, it’s harder to place a specific monetary value on general damages because of their subjective nature. One cannot measure pain in the way that one can calculate lost wages. Two people may suffer the same injuries and yet describe their suffering in two different ways. This is one reason why you may benefit from legal representation. A lawyer may help present a convincing argument that you did indeed suffer in a particular way.
FACTORS THAT DETERMINE MONETARY VALUE
The courts will take several factors into account when assigning a dollar amount to your pain and suffering. They include the severity of the injury, the length of time it took to recover and whether your injuries have long-term effects on your life. If you were scarred or disfigured, the courts will consider their location. The more prominent they are, the more emotional the impact.
WHAT A LAWYER MAY DO FOR YOU
It all starts with a case evaluation from a lawyer who deals with motor vehicle collisions. He or she may determine how much you can receive in special damages, too, according to the state’s personal injury laws. You may leave the settlement negotiations to your attorney, and if the other side does not agree to pay the desired amount, you may litigate.