If you are dealing with the aftermath of an accident, you know that the physical pain is only part of the story. The emotional weight, the lost sleep, and the stress of not being able to enjoy your life as you used to can be just as debilitating.
In Pennsylvania, these non-physical impacts are known as pain and suffering. Because these experiences do not come with a clear price tag or a medical bill, figuring out what they are worth can feel confusing and overwhelming.
How Insurance Companies Calculate Your Loss
When you work with a personal injury attorney in Gladwyne, PA, one of the first things we look at is how insurance companies attempt to put a dollar amount on your emotional distress. Most insurers use specific methods to reach a number.
One common approach is the multiplier method. This involves taking your actual financial losses, like medical bills and lost wages, and multiplying them by a number between one and five. The more severe and permanent your injuries are, the higher the multiplier tends to be.
Another method often used is the per diem approach. This assigns a specific daily value to your suffering. The idea is to compensate you for every day you lived with pain from the date of the accident until you reached your maximum medical recovery.
While these formulas seem mathematical, they are often just a starting point for negotiations. Insurance companies usually try to keep these numbers low, which is why having a personal injury attorney in Gladwyne, PA, to advocate for you is so important.
The Evidence Needed to Value Your Claim
Since pain and suffering are subjective, you need clear evidence to show a jury or an insurance adjuster how the accident changed your life. Medical records are a great start because they document your reports of pain and the treatments you received.
However, we also look for more personal evidence. For example, if you can no longer pick up your children or participate in a hobby you loved, that matters. Testimony from friends and family members can help describe the person you were before the injury compared to who you are now.
We often suggest that you keep a daily journal during your recovery process. Writing down your pain levels and the specific activities you missed out on creates a real-time record of your experience. This makes it much harder for the opposing side to claim your injuries are not serious.
When we develop your claim, we use these personal details to paint a full picture of your struggles. By gathering photos, videos of your daily limitations, and statements from those who know you, we can show exactly how the accident disrupted your peace of mind and physical comfort.
We Are Here to Help You Move Forward
You do not have to navigate the legal system alone while you are trying to heal. If you are struggling with the physical and emotional fallout of an accident, reach out to the team at Silver & Silver. We will listen to your story and help you understand your options for seeking the compensation you deserve.
Disclosure:
This website is designed to provide only general information. The information presented on this website is not formal legal advice. You should not rely on any general information from any source for making legal decisions. Each legal matter is unique and requires specific attention from a qualified attorney. Unless a representation agreement has been signed with the Law Offices of Silver and Silver, we are not your legal representatives.
