The effect of an Arizona car accident can go well beyond your medical bills, lost income, and repair costs. You might be in severe pain from your injuries, which can affect your daily quality of life. You can recover compensation for your pain and suffering from a car accident, but you need to prove this loss, which can be difficult without help from an experienced attorney.
What Does “Pain and Suffering” Mean in a Car Accident Claim?
Your pain and suffering from a car accident refers to any physical pain or emotional distress you experience from the collision. Physical pain includes the immediate pain you experience and any long-term discomfort or chronic pain from your injuries. Emotional distress includes a wide range of mental health affects you might experience, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress.
Don’t underestimate the effects of your pain and suffering from a car accident. While there’s no fixed dollar figure like there is for your medical expenses or lost income, pain and suffering take a definite toll on your everyday life. The trick to recovering compensation for your pain and suffering is finding ways to quantify a seemingly unquantifiable loss.
Proving Pain and Suffering in an Arizona Car Accident Claim
Some evidence you can use to support your claim for pain and suffering compensation includes:
- Medical Records – Notes from your doctor and records of your treatments can help demonstrate the extent of your physical pain and how your injuries affect your daily life.
- A Personal Journal or Diary – A daily diary or journal that notes your pain levels, emotional state, and how your injuries limit your activities can provide a personal perspective on your pain and suffering.
- Mental Health Evaluations – Notes from mental health counselors can illustrate the accident’s emotional and psychological impact. For example, your mental health professionals can describe any symptoms of depression, anxiety, or PTSD.
- Testimony from Family and Friends – Sworn statements from people who know you can provide insights into how your injuries have affected your mood, activities, and quality of life.
- Photos and Videos – Photos and videos of your injuries and recovery process can provide visual proof of your pain and suffering, particularly if your injuries have caused any disfigurement or limited your activities.
- Emphasizing your pre-accident abilities and hobbies—Comparing your post-accident abilities with your pre-accident abilities is a an effective tool to highlight the negative consequences of the accident.
Compensation for Pain and Suffering in Arizona Car Accident Claims
Unlike some states, Arizona does not limit your compensation for pain and suffering or other noneconomic losses from a car accident. (The state constitution strictly prohibits caps on compensation in personal injury cases.) There are a few methods to put a dollar amount on this loss. One way is to multiply your economic losses (lost income, medical expenses, etc.) by a number between 1 and 5 and use that figure as the basis for your compensation. Another method for calculating pain and suffering compensation is to assign a figure to your daily pain and multiply that method by the number of days your injuries are expected to last.
Contact Our Arizona Car Accident Lawyers Now
At Valley Injury Team, our lawyers have the experience, knowledge, and determination to help you recover fair compensation for your pain and suffering in an Arizona car accident. Call us now or complete our contact form for a free consultation.
