Most people learn a lot about what they know about the law from watching television. They also read a lot of information on social media. Unfortunately, this sort of media does not always give an accurate portrayal of how much pain and suffering a typical personal injury case involves. Many plaintiffs think that they’re going to be entitled to hundreds of thousands of dollars simply because they were injured in an accident. Others think that they can get money in a lawsuit despite the fact that they weren’t actually hurt.
In South Carolina, you can only recover damages for injuries you actually sustained. For example, if you don’t suffer any serious injuries, you can’t expect to win an award for millions of dollars. Or, if your loss is damage to your car, you can’t expect to get much more than the value of your car.
There are times when plaintiffs are entitled to a significant amount in damages. These cases typically involve very serious injuries. In these cases, your Greenville auto accident attorney at Brumback & Langley can demand pain and suffering damages. These are meant to compensate you for any physical or mental anguish caused by the crash. The best way to know what you’re entitled to is to talk to an experienced car accident lawyer sooner rather than later.
What is Pain and Suffering?
Pain and suffering damages are intended to compensate people who experience mental and physical anguish as a result of their car crash. It is impossible to put a dollar value on these sorts of damages. Typically, South Carolina car accident attorneys estimate pain and suffering to be worth about three times a plaintiff’s medical bills. For example, if your other damages total about $100,000, your attorney will demand $300,000 in pain and suffering. This does not mean you’re guaranteed this kind of money. But this is the amount your attorney will initially demand.
How Does Your Greenville Car Accident Lawyer Prove Pain and Suffering?
It isn’t easy to prove pain and suffering. Your Greenville car accident lawyer will have to introduce all kinds of evidence to do this. Some of the things they will introduce is evidence showing the following things:
- Medical records showing that you had to undergo painful surgeries
- Evidence that you can no longer work or do the same kind of work you did before the crash
- Proof that you can’t sustain an active social life such as playing sports or hanging out with friends
- Evidence that you can no longer participate with your family. For example, if you can no longer pick up your children, that would be evidence of pain and suffering.
- Testimony from a doctor stating that you are in a great deal of pain
You may have some or all of this to back up your claim for pain and suffering. There is no guarantee either way that you’ll receive this.
Can You Include Damages for Pain and Suffering in Your Settlement?
When your Greenville accident lawyer tries to settle your case, they will negotiate compensation for pain and suffering. The defendant knows this. Thankfully, your lawyer has the skills and knowledge to do this. They have years of experience dealing with insurance adjusters. They also know to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf. The best way to make this happen is to meet with a skilled attorney sooner rather than later. You don’t want to put any more pressure on your lawyer than absolutely necessary.
Talk to a Skilled Car Accident Lawyer in Greenville Today
If you or your loved one are seriously injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to damages. Depending on the seriousness of your injuries, you could also be entitled to pain and suffering. The only way to know for sure is to talk to one of our skilled car accident lawyers in Greenville. Brumback & Langley will review your case and look at your medical records. If you sustain serious injuries in the crash, you may experience mental and physical anguish. This is the sort of case in which your attorney can demand pain and suffering.
Call today and schedule your free, initial consultation. Set up a date and time to meet with one of our experienced attorneys. They can answer any questions you may have. They can also give you an idea of what your case is worth. The consultation is free and you won’t owe a dime until your case is settled.
