Hurting All Over? How To Be Compensated
Most people are familiar with how a car accident can hurt you physically. However, you can be hurt badly in other ways and show very few outward signs. Car accidents can cause victims to experience trauma in several ways. The legal system has a special way of paying victims for those types of injuries known as pain and suffering. To find out more about this type of injury, read on.
Being Paid for Pain and Suffering
Even minor accidents can bring about personal suffering. Being in a car accident is traumatizing. The more seriously injured you are, the higher the level of trauma. While many accident victims don't consider this aspect of a car accident, they should. The mental and emotional effects of being hurt in a car accident can affect every aspect of life. As the victim of a careless driver, you are likely owed money for your pain and suffering.
The Signs of Pain and Suffering
Your physical symptoms are usually very apparent and difficult to ignore. However, people tend to push aside emotions as being temporary and minor. If the emotional effects of an accident are not taken seriously, victims may find that their suffering is extended. To understand some of the common ways pain and suffering affect someone's life, consider these symptoms:
- Difficult sleeping, such as nightmares or an inability to get to sleep and stay asleep.
- Mood changes such as irritability, anger, depression, and more.
- Feeling anxious or nervous even when there is no apparent danger at the present.
And more.
How to Cope
Experts advise car accident victims that are suffering any of the above symptoms to seek help by contacting a therapist. Short-term (or longer) counseling may help victims cope. Keep up with any expenses related to your therapy and medication. Using a pain journal to write about experiences and thoughts may help too. Record notes each day or as often as needed. This form of therapy may also be useful to prove your level of pain and suffering. Speak to your personal injury lawyer about using a pain journal.
How Are Pain and Suffering Paid For?
This form of damage is often based on a victim's physical injuries. However, speak to your lawyer about how things are done in your area. If pain and suffering are paid based on medical treatment costs, the payment is usually multiplied by several times that total. For instance, if your medical costs for the accident were $100,000 and the multiplier is 3, then you might be paid $300,000 for pain and suffering.
Find out more by speaking with an auto accident attorney.