When a Lawrenceville injury lawyer first meets with an accident victim, they usually have all sorts of questions for us. One of the first things they ask us is how much their case is worth. It’s understandable that an accident victim would want to know this information. The problem is that our Lawrenceville injury lawyer cannot give them a quote as to how much their case is worth. Too much can take place between the day you meet with your attorney and the day you finally settle your claim. Even when the evidence is strong, there’s no guarantee that you’ll receive damages. It’s even more uncertain as to whether you’ll receive damages for pain and suffering.
Here, we will discuss pain and suffering damages then how they impact your legal claim. We will also discuss how your Georgia injury attorney will be able to prove that the other driver was at fault. After all, if you’re not able to prove fault, you won’t be collecting damages anyway. We suggest you call our office today so you can schedule your free consultation with one of our seasoned attorneys.
Nobody is Guaranteed Any Damages at All
It’s important to remember that nobody is guaranteed damages just because they were in a car accident. Some of our clients feel that they’re automatically entitled to damages regardless of what kind of injuries they suffered. Another thing that can be frustrating to you is that you feel definitively that the other driver calls the accident. However, you must be able to submit proof to that effect.
In order to collect damages, your Lawrenceville injury lawyer must prove the following things:
- the defendant owed you a duty of care
- the defendant breached this duty of care
- you were injured
- your injuries were directly caused by the defendant’s breach.
Once your Georgia injury attorney can prove that you meet these elements of negligence, then you can start discussing damages.
You’ll Also Have to Prove Your Damages
As stated earlier, once you prove your case, you’ll have an opportunity to prove your damages. One of the best ways to do this is to submit a copy of your medical bills. This will show exactly how much money you have paid out of pocket for your medical care. You will also have the chance to demand damages for lost wages and lost future income. If your attorney can show that you are no longer able to do the same kind of work that you did before, there will be a good chance that you’re entitled to compensation.
In addition to these economic damages, you may also be entitled to damages for pain and suffering. After all, that’s what this article is about, right? In order to receive compensation for pain and suffering, your Georgia injury attorney must show that you suffered physical or mental anguish after the crash. There are a variety of ways in which they can prove this. Some of these include the following:
- your doctor can testify that you had very painful surgeries and had a very painful recovery
- you may have a mental health counselor who can testify to the fact that you were depressed and anxious for weeks or months following your accident
- your family members may make statements or submit affidavits explaining how your life has changed since your injuries
- obviously, you will have the chance to speak on your behalf and make a statement about your injuries as well
Regardless of the evidence you submit, what the court is going to ask themselves is weather the severity of your injuries warrant damages for pain and suffering. As mentioned above, you aren’t going to get pain and suffering damages for whiplash. You may not even receive pain and suffering for a broken bone or a sprained wrist. It all comes down to how painful your injuries where, how long it took you to recover, and what evidence your attorney can submit on your behalf.
Meet with an Experienced Lawrenceville Injury Lawyer As Soon as Possible After the Crash
If you were seriously injured in a car accident, there is a good chance you may be entitled to pain and suffering damages. It’s impossible to tell our clients up front whether they will be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering. The general rule is that people who suffer more serious injuries are the ones that receive pain and suffering damages. If, for example, you only suffered whiplash, you shouldn’t expect to receive damages for pain and suffering. In fact, for an injury this minor, there’s no guarantee you’ll receive any damages at all. What will happen is your Lawrenceville injury lawyer will have to review your case when you first meet and try to determine if it has merit.
While pain and suffering sounds like it would be simple to prove, it’s actually quite difficult. There are no receipts you can submit to justify your claim for pain and suffering. Nor can a doctor diagnose you with a disorder that arises due to your pain and suffering. You’re Georgia injury attorney will just have to submit enough evidence to prove that you experienced significant physical and mental anguish after your crash. If you do, you’ll be awarded damages for your injuries. The general rule when it comes to pain and suffering is that your Lawrenceville injury lawyer will demand pain and suffering damages equal to three times whatever your medical bills were.
If you or your loved one were recently injured in a car crash, there’s no time like the present to come in and sit down with an experience Georgia injury attorney. We can review your case and give you an idea of what it may be worth. You should call and schedule your free, initial consultation as soon as possible after the accident. Since you don’t pay anything upfront, you have nothing to lose.
