If you have been involved in a car accident or other incident in Idaho, you may have suffered severe injuries. Car accident injuries can cause significant pain and suffering, and you may be entitled to recover compensation for your pain and suffering damages.
These types of non-economic damages are intangible and very subjective. This can make calculating their value difficult because there are no receipts or bills that prove them. There are two common methods used for calculating pain and suffering damages after an accident in Idaho – the multiplier method and the per diem method. Dive into the details below to learn more.
Common Methods Used To Calculate Pain and Suffering Damages
If someone else’s negligence caused your accident, you may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages. Proving the value of economic damages, such as medical bills and lost wages, is quite easy (though some kinds can be tougher, such as projecting diminished earning capacity). There are bills and other documentation that can be used to prove the value of these damages. On the other hand, pain and suffering damages are much more difficult to value.
The most common methods used to calculate pain and suffering damages are:
Multiplier Method
The most common way to calculate pain and suffering damages is known as the multiplier method. Using this method, a multiplier will be assigned to your claim based on the severity of your injuries. This multiplier is usually somewhere between 1.5 and 5. Higher multipliers are reserved for cases involving severe or catastrophic injuries.
Once the multiplier is assigned, this number is multiplied by the value of your economic damages. The resulting product is considered to be an accurate estimate of the value of your non-economic damages, including pain & suffering.
Suppose you are injured in a car accident and suffer moderate injuries, including broken bones that require surgery to repair. The multiplier assigned to your claim might be a 3 in that situation. Now, suppose that the value of your economic damages, including medical bills and lost wages, is $30,000. The value of your pain and suffering is likely to be somewhere around 3 times $30,000, or $90,000.
Per Diem Method
Another, less common, method of calculating pain and suffering damages is known as the per diem method. Under this method, a daily value for pain and suffering is assigned to your case. The more severe your injuries, the higher this daily value is likely to be.
Once you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), this daily value will be multiplied by the number of days it took you to recover. This product will provide a good estimate of the value of your pain and suffering damages.
Consider another example here. Suppose you are injured in an accident and sustain moderate injuries. The daily value for pain and suffering assigned to your case is $200. Now, imagine that it takes you 200 days to fully recover from your injuries after the accident. Your pain and suffering damages may be worth approximately $200 times 200 days, or $40,000.
What Factors Affect the Value of Pain & Suffering Damages?
It should be no secret that cases involving severe injuries have higher values than those involving only minor injuries. While the severity of your injuries has a big effect on the value of your pain and suffering damages, that is not the only factor that should be considered. Overall, the most common factors that play a role in the value of your pain and suffering damages include:
- Severity of your injuries
- How long it took you to recover
- Whether you will be left with permanent effects or disabilities
- How your relationships with friends and family have been affected
- How your daily life has been affected by your injuries
Many insurance companies will try to downplay your injuries after an accident to minimize the value of your claim. The best way to get an accurate estimate of the value of your pain & suffering damages is by seeking the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer. A lawyer can help you stand up to the insurance company and get the compensation you are owed.
What Other Damages Are Available After an Accident?
While pain and suffering damages can make up a large portion of your claim after an accident, there are many other types of damages that may be available to injury victims. Some of the most common types of damages available to victims are:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Loss of consortium
- PTSD
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Diminished quality of life
When someone else is responsible for your injuries, they can be held liable for all your damages. Keep in mind that your time to file a claim for damages is limited, so make sure that you do not miss your chance to get compensation.
Contact the Utah Personal Injury Lawyers at Parker & McConkie Today
For more information, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Parker & McConkie to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have 5 convenient locations in Utah, including Midvale, Salt Lake City, Ogden & Provo, UT. Clients can also visit our offices in Idaho Falls, ID & Rock Springs, WY.
We proudly serve Weber County, Utah County, Salt Lake County in Utah, Bonneville County in Idaho, Sweetwater County in Wyoming, and their surrounding areas:
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Salt Lake City Office
466 S. 500 E., Suite 100,
Salt Lake City, UT 84102
(801) 851-1202
Hours: 24/7
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Midvale Office
7090 Union Park Ave, #160,
Midvale, UT 84047
(801) 845-0440
Hours: 24/7
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Ogden Office
2510 S Washington Blvd, Suite 160,
Ogden, UT 84401
(385) 402-8187
Hours: 24/7
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Provo Office
37 E Center St, Suite 300,
Provo, UT 84606
(801) 876-4107
Hours: 24/7
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Rock Springs Office
531 N Front St,
Rock Springs, WY 82901
(307) 205-7400
Hours: 24/7
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Idaho Falls Office
2235 East 25th St. Suite #280,
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
(208) 418-0633
Hours: 24/7
