A car accident can impact your life in many ways, and not all them relate to a totaled car or the expense of emergency medical treatment. In some cases, the losses from a serious car accident involve much more than the damage to your vehicle and the injuries you experienced.

Seeking fair compensation after a Pennsylvania car accident can be complicated because it can be very difficult to accurately determine the significance of the losses and their true financial impact, both now and in the future. Before you file a civil claim, you would be wise to consider if you should also seek damages related to your pain and suffering.

What counts as pain and suffering?

Your claim may seek fair compensation for specific economic losses, such as those related to harm done to your personal property and the medical bills you accrued as a result of your accident. However, you may also seek damages for non-specific losses and consequences of your accident, including:

• Extensive pain and suffering
• Potentially shortened lifespan
• Disfigurement or physical impairment
• Mental anguish
• Loss of companionship
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Determining the economic value of these types of injuries is complex. When seeking damages for something not easily valued, the amount deemed appropriate can be quite subjective. When considering a reward for pain and suffering after an accident, the following may be considered:

• The severity of the injury
• Time needed to fully recover
• Location and type of disfigurement
• Economic factors
• Potential for additional problems in the future

If you believe that you have a rightful claim to damages for pain and suffering, you would be wise to seek a full understanding of your legal options before you initiate the civil claims process.

Fully recovering from a car accident

A car accident can change your life in an instant, but you have the right to hold liable parties accountable for their actions and the impact that these actions had on your life. While you know you could seek compensation for your medical expenses and other financial losses, you would be wise not to overlook the potential for other types of damages as well.

You deserve a full and fair recovery after an accident. The first step to securing what you need to make this happen may be to simply seek guidance regarding the most appropriate course of action, which may include a civil claim seeking restitution for your pain and suffering.