An accident can change every area of your life in an instant. One moment you may be driving down the road, and the next you could be dealing with injuries and losses that can have far-reaching consequences.
While your financial losses may be significant, you could be suffering in ways you cannot put a price. If you determine that it is appropriate to seek compensation through a personal injury claim, you should also consider your non-economic losses.
Pain and suffering damages relate to the ways your accident caused you to suffer mentally, emotionally and in other ways. It may be in your interest to learn about how the calculation of pain and suffering works in Alabama and what you can do to protect your long-term interests. When your recovery is on the line, you don’t want to leave any money on the table.
Understanding pain and suffering in Alabama
In Alabama, pain and suffering damages also go by the term “mental anguish damages.” You have a right to seek compensation for ways that the accident and your injuries caused you to suffer that do not necessarily relate to money.
Pain and suffering also includes ways you are experiencing ongoing duress that you may not be able to see. These include but are not limited to:
- Lingering mental effects
- Continuing physical pain and discomfort
- Loss of enjoyment of certain parts of life
Non-economic damages that you may recover include present suffering, past suffering you endured or ways you expect to continue suffering in the future.
There is a statute of limitations for these types of damages, however. The length of time depends on the kind of accident and the nature of your injury. There are also damage caps for certain types of injuries.
Fighting for your future
There is a lot at stake after an accident. You have the right to seek a full and fair recovery, and that includes your non-economic suffering as well.
After an accident, it may seem overwhelming to pick up the pieces and move forward. Receiving full compensation for all of your injuries, including pain and suffering, can help ease the challenges you’re facing after the accident.
