Can I Be Compensated for the Emotional Effects of My Accident?

Being involved in a car accident can cost you dearly. Your car may suffer damage, you may have injuries, and the overall experience of the accident can weigh on you. The emotional effects of an auto accident should not be discounted. Injuries can often heal with treatment, however the emotional effects of an accident, such as anxiety and fear when driving on the road, can last for years.

If you’ve been involved in an accident as a result of someone else’s negligence, your losses are compensable. This includes both your economic losses, also called special damages, as well as your pain and suffering, also called general damages. Typically, the pain and suffering portion of your damages will compensate you for your pain and the emotional and psychological trauma you underwent. How these damages are calculated is not a matter of science. It is impossible to put an accurate figure on the experience of being hit and injured. It is even harder to put an accurate figure on the emotional experience of an accident. Every accident is different and every person will experience different emotions following. Was the accident particularly traumatic? Were your injuries severe? How did they interfere with your life? Did they make it hard for you to enjoy activities you used to enjoy? How will the emotional trauma of the accident affect you going forward? Will you need therapy to move on? If so, how much? These concerns are commonly considered when determining pain and suffering damages.

The emotional effects of your accident may affect you for years to come. It may take months of therapy to recover from the trauma of the accident, and even then you could still experience lingering emotional effects for years to come, long after your injuries have healed. These effects should not be devalued in your personal injury claim. If you have been injured in an accident and are seeking compensation, speak with an experienced Georgia personal injury attorney about your damages for pain and suffering. It is not easy to come to a reasonable figure for your pain and suffering on your own, but speaking with an attorney will give you an idea of how these damages are calculated and what you may expect to recover.

Are you in need of a personal injury attorney? Thomas C. Rowsey, P.C. is experienced in personal injury matters and will work hard to defend your rights and gain you fair compensation for your losses. Based in historic Roswell, GA, Thomas C. Rowsey Attorneys at Law serves those across the greater Atlanta metropolitan area including Roswell, Alpharetta, Marietta, Milton, Johns Creek, Cumming and Sandy Springs. Contact our office today at (770) 993-5317 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation. Offering expert legal counsel in personal injury, criminal defense and family law, Thomas C. Rowsey Attorneys at Law are here to help.