Auto Insurance Claims: Pain and Suffering Question, Pain and Suffering Question

Question
My general question (and this is one I keep asking myself) is how do you decide what your pain is worth? I was in a head on collision that was caused by the other driver. I had a severe foot fracture which included ligament, tendon damage, broken bones, and a calcaneus shattered in to 6 pieces. I had a major surgery three weeks after the accident where plates and screws were put in, two months later I had to have another surgery where 4, four inch pins were placed in to my toes. Eight weeks later I had to have the pins removed with pliers which was probably the most severe pain I have ever experienced. After the pins were removed, I went to physical therapy three days a week for 4 months. Throughout that period I have had constant pain, loss of mobility, and loss of feeling and sensation in my foot. Recently, my pain has gotten worse and they suspect more damage that they will have to go in and repair. I will also need an additional surgery to remove the hardware at the end of the year. Along with lost of motion, sensation, and constant pain I am 20 and have already developed arthritis 10 months after the wreck. I have talked to a lawyer and decided to wait on pursuing a claim until all of the surgeries have been completed. The only question I am left with now is how do you place a value on my "pain and suffering" and how do you factor in future problems?

Answer
Hello Lacey,

Your general question is rather very complex. Pain and suffering is determine different way in different states. Also, there is no one way (or formula) that gives you a 100% accurate answer. You have to look at all the factors involved, and mainly the medical records that show your injury, recovery, and prognosis. This is the critical evidence.

You will have to look at wage loss, recovery time, is this going to reoccur, etc.

It's a rather tedious process and you may want to talk to an attorney about this.

For more detail information about pain and suffering, please see:

http://www.auto-insurance-claim-advice.com/pain-and-suffering.html

and http://www.auto-insurance-claim-advice.com/bodily-injury-claim.html

Good Luck,
Anne
http://www.quirogalawoffice.com/