How Much is Pain and Suffering Worth in a Car Accident Claim in Alabama?

If you’ve been in an auto crash in Alabama, seeking compensation for medical bills and lost wages is usually straightforward. But what about the emotional and physical toll an accident has taken on your life? Unlike tangible economic damages, putting a dollar amount on pain and suffering damages can be much more challenging. At Moore Law Firm, our car accident attorneys in Mobile, Alabama have served more than 15,000 personal injury clients over the past 40 years. We can help you understand the factors that go into valuing pain and suffering damages and how a Mobile accident lawyer can help maximize your compensation.

What Are Pain and Suffering Damages?

In Alabama, pain and suffering damages are non-economic damages that cover the physical pain and mental anguish that victims often experience after a car accident. These damages may include:

• Physical pain from injuries
• Emotional distress, which can lead to anxiety, depression, or PTSD
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of companionship and consortium
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement

Although nothing can change what happened, pain and suffering damages can help compensate victims and their families for the physical pain, anger, humiliation, fear, and shock they may suffer after an auto crash in Alabama.

Factors Considered When Determining Pain and Suffering Damages

There is no set formula for calculating pain and suffering. However, insurance companies, Alabama accident attorneys, and courts consider a range of factors based on the facts of each case, including:

• The severity and type of injuries
• The duration of your recovery and whether you will ever fully recover
• Whether you suffer from permanent disability or disfigurement
• Physical pain associated with your injuries
• Fear, stress, anxiety, and depression caused by your injuries
• The impact your injuries have had on your ability to perform daily activities
• Whether you will be able to return to work or do the things you used to enjoy
• How your injury has affected your overall quality of life

Contributory Negligence in Alabama

It’s also important to understand that Alabama follows the contributory negligence rule. This means that if you are found even 1% at fault for an auto crash in Alabama, you may be barred from recovering any damages at all.

It’s vital to have an accident attorney by your side after a crash, as insurance companies do everything they can to shift blame and avoid paying claims. Our Mobile accident lawyers have experience dealing with their underhanded tactics and are well-versed in Alabama law. We know how to prove who is at fault and why you deserve to recover damages like pain and suffering.

Calculating Pain and Suffering Damages

Insurance companies and personal injury attorneys often use two common approaches to determine how much pain and suffering is worth in a car crash claim.

The Multiplier Method

When using the multiplier method, the total amount of economic damages such as medical bills and lost wages is multiplied to determine pain and suffering damages. This multiplier may be anywhere from 1.5 to 5 times the amount of economic damages. Typically, the more severe your injuries and the longer it takes to recover, the higher the multiplier will be. For example, if your economic damages were $100,000 and the multiplier is two, you would receive $200,000 for pain and suffering damages.

The multiplier method is often used by insurers to value pain and suffering damages. Of course, insurance companies usually try to use the lowest possible multiplier to pay as little as possible. Your car accident lawyer in Mobile can negotiate the multiplier and fight to help you recover the maximum amount of pain and suffering damages you’re entitled to receive.

The Per Diem Method

The per diem method uses a daily dollar amount multiplied by the number of days you are reasonably expected to suffer. For example, if your per diem is $200 and it took you five hundred days to be released by your doctor, you’d receive $100,000 in pain and suffering damages.

This method is less common, as it doesn’t work well for catastrophic injuries such as paralysis, amputation, or traumatic brain injury. Unfortunately, you can never fully recover from these types of injuries and be “made whole” like you were before a car or truck accident.

Each case is unique, and every injured victim deals with physical and emotional hardships differently. Your car accident attorney will negotiate a fair number for pain and suffering damages and fight to protect your rights.

How a Car Accident Attorney in Mobile Can Help

While the majority of auto crash claims in Alabama are settled out of court, if an insurance company refuses to offer a reasonable amount that covers the full scope of your damages, our Mobile accident lawyers will take your case to trial. We know how to gather and present compelling evidence like medical records, expert testimony, personal journals, and witness statements from family and friends. Our accident attorneys are skilled at creating convincing arguments that get results for our clients.

We have a proven track record of success and are dedicated to making things right for victims and their families. Our personal injury lawyers take cases on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront costs and we only get paid if we win your case.

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Mobile, AL

At Moore Law Firm, we understand the complex aspects of valuing pain and suffering damages in car accident claims and fight to help you recover the justice and compensation you deserve. To schedule a consultation with an auto crash attorney in Mobile, Alabama, contact us, call 251-445-7602, or use the convenient chat feature on our website to get in touch today.