The impact of car accidents on victims can be devastating and long-lasting. One type of non-economic damages often awarded is pain and suffering. Our car accident attorneys are experts at accurately assessing the potential for pain and suffering damages and ensuring our clients receive everything they deserve and are entitled to by law.
What Are Non-Economic Damages?
Non-economic damages are those relating to losses that are not quantifiable. In other words, they cannot be precisely calculated. Non-economic damages include:
- Pain and Suffering: As the name implies, these are damages awarded for the physical pain and emotional suffering caused by a car accident. Pain and suffering damages may include ongoing general discomfort, mental trauma, overall reduced quality of life, and the emotional impact of enduring long-term injuries or changes in appearance.
- Loss of Enjoyment: This category of non-economic damages compensates victims for losing companionship, affection, comfort, and other aspects of a marital or primary relationship experienced due to the accident.
What Pain and Suffering Damages are NOT
Pain and suffering damages, as noted above, cannot easily be calculated because they do not connect to a specific cost or expense. The type of damages that can be associated with an expense and calculated are called economic damages. Economic damages include:
- Medical Expenses: All current and future costs connected to medical care and treatment, such as emergency room/hospital bills, surgery, rehabilitation and physical therapy, prescription medications, and any necessary medical devices, such as crutches or a wheelchair.
- Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: Compensation for income lost due to the inability to work during recovery or long-term reduction in earning capacity.
- Property Damage includes the costs of repairing or replacing the victim’s vehicle and any personal belongings damaged in the accident.
- Rental Car Costs: Compensation awarded to cover renting a car while a victim’s vehicle is being repaired.
How Common Is It to Be Awarded Pain and Suffering Damages?
Compensation for pain and suffering is actually quite common in car accident cases. However, the amount awarded can vary significantly. Hiring a skilled and experienced car accident attorney is so essential. Securing the maximum amount of pain and suffering damages is much more likely when you have a highly professional attorney working for you.
Other factors that affect the amount of pain and suffering damages awarded include:
- Severity of injuries
- Impact on the victim’s daily life
- Length of recovery time
- Amount of medical treatment required
- Pre-existing conditions, if any
- Long-term or permanent effects
- Overall quality of life impact
Skilled and Affordable Legal Help is Available
The team of skilled car accident attorneys at Eason & Tambornini brings over 100 years of legal experience to our work. We fight for maximum, fair compensation for injuries and losses for every client we serve. Our firm carries the highest rankings possible from Martindale-Hubbell, a national peer-review network of legal professionals.
FREE Consultation and NO Upfront Legal Fees
Our auto accident lawyers in Sacramento offer a free, no-risk consultation to discuss the facts of your case. We accept cases on a contingency basis only. You pay nothing until we win a settlement, ensuring your peace of mind.
You can schedule a free consultation today by calling Eason & Tambornini at (916) 438-1819.
