Have you been injured in an accident because of somebody else’s negligence? If so, you may be familiar with economic damages like lost wages and medical expenses. But in personal injury cases, you may also be eligible for non-economic damages like pain and suffering. It is important to understand these damages and how the Law Office of Brian P. Azemika can help you maximize your financial recovery.
What is Pain and Suffering?
These damages cover the physical pain, loss of life enjoyment, mental anguish, and emotional distress you endure due to an accident or injury. They are non-economic damages since they don’t have a specific monetary value. Calculating the cost of persistent physical pain and psychological trauma is not simple.
Physical and Mental Pain and Suffering
Physical pain and suffering are the pain you endure from your physical injuries. This does not only cover the immediate pain you experience but also the serious impacts you may suffer in the future because of the negligence of the defendant. If you’ve been involved in a car accident and are seeking legal assistance, consulting with a car accident lawyer can provide valuable guidance on navigating your claim and understanding your rights.
Meanwhile, mental pain and suffering result from physical injuries. However, it expands to mental anguish, loss of life enjoyment, emotional distress, fear, anxiety, anger, and more. Also, serious mental suffering results in conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Why You Need an Attorney When Seeking Non-Economic Damages
Because calculating the value of your pain and suffering is challenging, you must have a skilled and knowledgeable attorney by your side. Here’s what they can do for your case:
- Evaluate your case. A bicycle accident lawyer Bellevue can assess your case’s specific details. These include the seriousness of your injuries, future complications and treatments, and the circumstances that surround the incident that resulted in your injuries. This evaluation will help your attorney determine your claim’s viability.
- Collect evidence. Evidence is key to the success of your claim. Your lawyer can help make sure related information is gathered and preserved. Evidence can include medical records, witness statements, expert testimonies, and accident reports. Also, your attorney can guide you as you document your pain and suffering.
- Negotiate a fair settlement. As an insurance company may try to reduce your payout, it may argue that your injuries are not as serious as you claimed or even blame you for the accident. Your lawyer is familiar with such tactics and can counter them, helping you recover the compensation you are entitled to.
- Represent you in court. If negotiations between your attorney and the insurance company of the defendant fail, your attorney can take your case to trial. When this occurs, your attorney your present your case before a judge or jury.
