If you experienced serious injuries or lost a loved one in a New York car accident, you know how difficult the aftermath can be. In addition to your own physical suffering, you are also dealing with damage to your property, time away from work and bills that keep showing up in your mailbox. The financial impact is significant, and you may not be sure how you will pick up the pieces on your own.
In addition to these things, you may also find yourself suffering mentally and emotionally after an accident. A traumatic event can impact you in many ways, and while they may not be tangible, they are very real and very painful. In fact, you may be able to seek pain and suffering damages if you decide to move forward with a personal injury claim against the liable party.
What is the real cost of suffering?
One of the most difficult aspects of seeking damages for pain and suffering is the fact that they are non-economic losses. This means that it is impossible to put a price tag on your suffering, but you can still seek appropriate compensation for all the ways your car accident took a toll on your life. Your mental and emotional trauma is not quantifiable, but there are certain factors that can help you understand what your claim may be worth.
When you seek pain and suffering damages after your car accident, a court may take several things into consideration. Every case is different, but some of the following factors may affect how much you should seek and what a court may award you:
- The severity of your injury
- How your injury affected your life, including your ability to work
- Whether your injury caused disfigurement or scarring
- How long you need to recover from your injuries
- The economic impact of your accident injuries
- Ongoing medical needs and future surgeries required
It is possible to hold parties liable for what you experienced after your car accident. If your suffering is the result of the negligent or reckless actions of another person, you have the right to move forward with the necessary legal action to get what you need and move forward.
The New York civil justice system allows for car accident victims to pursue justice by filing a personal injury claim. Before you proceed with this course of action, you may want to learn more about how much your claim may be worth and whether you should seek damages for your pain and suffering.