Getting into a car accident can leave you with a myriad of physical injuries that induce pain for months following the collision. However, many victims also endure intense mental anguish as a result, but because these injuries are not visible, they often go unnoticed or unconsidered. If you are suffering because of a negligent driver, understanding your right to compensation is crucial. Luckily, a Broward County auto accident lawyer can help you recover the compensation you deserve by proving emotional distress. Keep reading to learn what you can do to help your case.
What Is Emotional Distress?
When someone experiences a traumatic event, it can leave a lasting impact on them. This distress is caused by high levels of consistent unpleasant emotions, like anger, sadness, grief, frustration, and worry. When you endure these feelings, they can impact the rest of your life.
For victims of car accidents, suffering from emotional suffering is not uncommon. This could be caused by several triggers. Some may endure chronic pain and suffering from the injuries they sustained in the collision while others may be unable to enjoy their life as they did before the accident. Additionally, those suffering emotional distress can suffer from anxiety regarding the accident, making it difficult for them to drive or even get into a vehicle out of fear of getting into another collision. They may also suffer from nightmares about the accident.
Emotional distress can make it hard for victims to live their lives, as they may be unable to work, sustain relationships with friends and family, and participate in the activities they once enjoyed.
How Can I Prove Suffering?
Proving emotional suffering can be challenging for victims, as it isn’t as simple as getting an X-ray that shows a broken bone or an MRI. As such, you’ll likely need to meet with a licensed mental health professional who can discuss your feelings and accurately diagnose you This diagnosis is essential to proving emotional distress.
Once you are diagnosed, the severity of your suffering will be taken into account. You’ll need to illustrate how the emotional impacts of the accident have affected your life. Friends and family may also be called as witnesses to discuss the differences in your life before and after the collision.
To calculate emotional damages, the courts will consider all relevant factors before assigning your non-economic damages a number between one and five, with five being the most severe. Your economic damages will be multiplied by this number to illustrate your award for emotional suffering. This is known as the multiplier method.
Proving emotional distress can pose many challenges. As such, it’s in your best interest to connect with an experienced attorney from the Finizio Law Group to discuss the details of your case. Our dedicated team will examine every factor surrounding your case to help you achieve the best possible outcome for your situation. Contact us today to learn how we can assist you through these devastating and confusing times.
