You may end up facing serious injuries and property damage after a car accident in California. In many cases, you will be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages at work, and vehicle repair costs after a wreck.
You should be aware that you may also be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering. Wondering how pain and suffering are calculated after a car accident in California? The team at the Simmrin Law Group can help you go over the facts about compensation for pain and suffering following a collision.
You can also call us at (310) 896-2723 to speak to a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles for help securing maximum damages for all of your losses.
Understanding Pain and Suffering Damages Following a Car Accident
If you are hurt in a car accident in California, you may be awarded compensation in several different categories. Depending upon your situation, you could get:
- Economic Damages. Economic damages can include things like medical expenses and lost wages at work. Damage to your vehicle would be an economic damage.
- Non-Economic Damages. Non-economic damages do not have a clear-cut monetary value. Pain, suffering, and emotional distress are all non-economic damages.
- Exemplary Damage. Exemplary damages do not reflect a loss you sustained directly. Instead, exemplary damages are used to punish the individual who caused your accident.
Economic damages can be calculated based on your expenses following an accident. Non-economic damages, like pain and suffering, must be calculated in different ways. There are two primary methods used to calculate how much compensation you should receive for your pain and suffering after an auto accident in California:
- The Multiplier Method
- The Per Diem Method
We’ll discuss both methods to calculate pain and suffering after a car accident now.
For a free legal consultation, call (310) 896-2723
Calculating Pain and Suffering Using the Multiplier Method
The multiplier method is the first strategy used to determine what you are owed for your pain and suffering. In order to determine compensation using the multiplier method, professionals will:
- Determine your total economic losses
- Select a multiplier (generally between 1 and 5) to represent your pain and suffering
- Multiple your total economic losses by the multiplier
Let’s go over an example of the multiplier method to clear up its usage. Say that a car accident left you with $5,000 in economic damages. You are given a multiplier of three for your pain and suffering. Therefore, you are awarded $15,000 for your pain and suffering.
Learn more about the multiplier method for calculating compensation for pain and suffering with the Simmrin Law Group. Get answers to all your legal questions by calling (310) 896-2723.
Calculating Pain and Suffering Using the Per Diem Method
The per diem method for calculating losses associated with pain and suffering focuses on the amount of time it takes you to recover from the car accident. Basically, the per diem method sets a monetary value for each day of your recovery and then multiplies this number by the days it takes you to recover.
We can consider an example of the per diem method of calculation right now. Let’s say that you are awarded $200 a day for your recovery. It takes you 10 days to recover from your injuries. You would, therefore, be awarded $2,000 for your pain and suffering after a car accident.
Reviewing Exceptions to California’s Laws on Pain and Suffering Compensation
You should be aware that you may not always be awarded compensation for your pain and suffering after a car accident in California. If you do not have car insurance, for example, you may be denied any non-economic damages.
The Simmrin Law Group can help you consider all of your options for securing compensation after a car accident in California. We can work to bring you a fair settlement from the insurance company for the driver who caused the injury.
Our team of car accident lawyers in Los Angeles are also prepared to stand up for you in court. In many cases, it will be up to a jury to determine exactly how much compensation you should receive for your pain and suffering. Get help securing maximum damages by reaching out to us now.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Speak to a Car Accident Lawyer About Calculating Your Pain and Suffering
Your pain and suffering may be calculated in several different ways after a car accident in California. Most of the time, the multiplier method or the per diem method will be used. The Simmrin Law Group can take steps to ensure you get full compensation for all your non-economic losses now. Just call (310) 896-2723 or fill out our online contact form to get started.
Get answers about possible compensation with a FREE case evaluation from a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form