The effects of a car accident can be devastating, especially for those who suffer from serious injuries caused by the collision. What many don’t see, however, is the emotional toll that a car accident can have on its victims, often lasting for years or even a lifetime. Injuries from a serious accident affect you more than just physically. Also known as pain and suffering, the victims of such events often go without compensation. If you were a victim of a car accident, you should understand that you may be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering and how to calculate the compensation amount.
Calculating Pain and Suffering After an Accident in Illinois
One of the most important things to know about seeking compensation for damages is that there are two different types of damages: economic and non-economic. Economic damages have a monetary value, such as hospital bills or car repairs. These damages are simple to calculate because they already have an assigned dollar value. Non-economic damages are more complex because there’s no price tag. That means that someone – insurance companies or a court – must assign a value to them.
Pain and suffering are one of the most common examples of non-economic damages. Illinois doesn’t follow any set rules on calculating damages like pain and suffering. An attorney who specializes in car accidents or personal injury cases can help you assign a number to your pain and suffering, but the amount you receive is ultimately decided by another party.
Factors That Determine Pain and Suffering Compensation
There are a few methods used to assign a value to your pain and suffering to ensure that you’re compensated fairly. Some of the most commonly-used methods in Illinois are the multiplier method or per diem. The multiplier method takes your economic damages and multiplies them by a predetermined number. That number can vary depending on the circumstances of your accident, who was more at fault, and the severity of your pain and suffering.
The extent of your pain and suffering is one of the most closely-considered factors in determining compensation. Pain and suffering can include physical pain and its effects as well as emotional or psychological conditions such as anxiety, fear, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Keeping detailed records of these effects is essential to proving your case because it provides evidence of your suffering.
How to Be Compensated for Pain and Suffering
Because calculating pain and suffering damages doesn’t follow a standard formula in Chicago, you could miss out on receiving the compensation that you deserve if you don’t consult with an attorney. A car accident lawyer has the knowledge and experience to help you strategize the proper amount of compensation that you deserve for your pain and suffering. At the Saperstein Law Group, P.C., our law team uses their skills to fight for clients across the Chicago area who have experienced pain and suffering due to someone else’s negligence or ill intent. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your case with an experienced Chicago car accident lawyer at Saperstein Law Group.