If you have been injured from a recent car accident, you may be wondering how much your case is worth. You should call your car insurance company, who will explain their personal injury claim process. They can offer you compensation for medical bills, loss of income, damages to your vehicle, etc. This post will give you an insight into “the multiplier” method and the “per diem” method. Both of these methods refer to the valuation for pain and suffering, and not the total claim value.
What are pain and suffering damages?
Pain and suffering is exactly that, the trauma you are left with after the accident. Every accident is different, and everyone reacts differently to what they have experienced. If the accident caused you to have a great deal of physical pain, it has probably changed your life completely. Physical pain is not only uncomfortable, but it can also limit your movements, making old routines difficult to manage. Physical pain can affect your work-life, leading to stress when the bills keep coming in.
Being in pain every day can cause anxiety, PTSD, and depression. After you’ve been through rounds of physiotherapy, the emotional distress doesn’t just vanish. If you are now wheelchair-bound, for instance, the impacts of the accident are apparent. Your whole life has changed, and old activities are no longer possible. Compensation can’t erase the deleterious effects of an accident, but it can give you the resources that you need to recover.
The Multiplier Method
The multiplier method is used to calculate pain and suffering. This method may be employed if your injury is long-term or permanent. Your attorney will determine how much money you lost over the period of time since the accident took place. This includes lost wages, medical bills, etc. The amount of economic damages is then multiplied by a number that your attorney feels is appropriate. This will often depend on the severity of your injuries and the amount of economic damages. Therefore, if the injury is acute, then the multiplication could be four or five times higher.
The Per Diem Method
The per diem method is usually used when you are able to fully recover from your accident, without any long-term effects. The insurance company may determine how much you earn a day and multiply that by the number of days that you will be unable to work. That is the basis for the pain and suffering figure that they come up with. This is not the same as lost wages, which will be calculated as part of your economic damages.
With that being said, your attorney will make a calculation for the valuation of your pain and suffering. Your insurance company may decide to not offer you anything. With a skilled personal injury attorney, you have the power to negotiate.
How can I ensure I get the best settlement?
The insurance company will offer you compensation based on their calculations of your pain and suffering. You may feel you experienced far more than they are offering. If you have been laid off work, you might be too mentally distressed to go back. You might be in pain from the injury and can’t resume everyday activities. A lawyer can help you negotiate your settlement by providing the right evidence to prove all the turmoil you have been through. A knowledgable lawyer understands your pain and suffering, along with all the emotional distress and can help you get the payout you deserve. Start by visit georgiatrialfirm.com for more information today.