If you have been involved in an accident, you have experienced pain and suffering. You can pursue a personal injury claim to recover compensation for the damages and losses that you suffer from the accident. You will need to show that the other party was negligent and that caused your injuries and damages.
You will also be required to maintain documentation and evidence to support your claim. You will need to show that you suffered monetary losses and non-monetary losses because of the accident.
Documentation is essential to a successful personal injury claim. Since pain and suffering are more difficult to put a dollar amount on, you will need to maintain other evidence to support your claim.
Documentation To Prove Pain And Suffering
If your injuries required medical treatment, then you will have pain and suffering. You must show medical expenses to claim pain and suffering after an accident. A multiplier approach is often used.
That means your total medical expenses are added up then multiplied by a number ranging from 1 to 5 depending on the severity of the injuries, the amount of the medical bills, and the lasting effects.
Here are the documents you need to maintain to support your claim:
- Medical bills
- Medical records
- Proof of missed work and lost wages
- Medical excuses for work and for limitations and restrictions
- Photos of injuries
- A journal indicating daily limitations
- Statements from any witnesses to the accident
- Statements from family and friends who can confirm the severity of your injuries and limitations
- Photos of damages
- Photos of the accident scene
Claiming Other Damages
You will need to claim all your damages in the same personal injury claim, so you will want to include more than just pain and suffering.
Here are some of the more common damages that you might claim in your personal injury claim:
- Medical expenses – past and future
- Lost wages – past and future
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Disabilities
A personal injury attorney will help you gather up evidence to support all your damages. Your lawyer will also come up with a fair value for your claim.
There is a strict statute of limitations, so you must file your personal injury claim in a timely manner or you will not be able to recoup compensation for your losses.
Consult With A Personal Injury Attorney
If you were injured in an accident, you can pursue a personal injury claim and claim pain and suffering. You should consult with a personal injury attorney.
A lawyer will be able to get your claim on the right track and will increase the odds of a successful claim.
Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page, so you can have an attorney who is licensed in your state review the details of your case. With the help of a lawyer, you can get your life back on track and your finances back in order after an accident.
