Maison Law helps people in Visalia through the claims process after a car accident. One of the biggest issues with a car accident–and a common source of questions–is how much your pain and mental struggles are going to be worth. At the end of the day, pain and suffering damages depend on your unique experience. The more clearly we can show how the accident changed your life, the stronger your claim becomes. If you’ve been injured in a car accident anywhere in Visalia, we’re here to help you make sense of the process–starting with a free consultation.
How Much Can You Get for Pain and Suffering After a Car Accident in Visalia?
Every car accident is different, but one thing is almost always true: it hurts. Whether you’re dealing with physical injuries, emotional stress, or both, the aftermath can be overwhelming–and putting a dollar figure on that kind of suffering isn’t easy. While there’s no set formula, there are key ways to show how the accident has affected your life:
- Daily impact – Start by tracking how your injuries affect your routine. If walking to the mailbox, driving your kids, or getting through a full workday has become painful or impossible, that matters. These everyday struggles help illustrate the toll the crash has taken.
- Changes to your quality of life – Car accidents can change what you’re able to do–and enjoy. If you can no longer play with your kids, exercise, work in your yard, or do anything else that used to bring you joy, that loss should be part of your claim.
- Medical documentation – The more records you have, the better. That includes ER visits, follow-up care, medication, physical therapy, and anything else tied to your injuries. These documents show both the physical harm and the ongoing effort it takes to recover.
- Personal and expert statements – Statements from your doctors, therapists, friends, or family can help paint a full picture of what you’re going through. Medical professionals may also weigh in on how long your recovery might take–or if your injuries will have lasting effects.
Obviously, every situation is different. Every injury–even the exact same one–has different grades and outcomes. More to the point, everyone responds to pain differently. The key to figuring out what your pain and suffering is worth is to look at what your injuries are and how well you can show how it’s impacted you.
What Counts as Pain and Suffering After a Car Accident?
Not all injuries show up on an X-ray. After a serious car accident, the pain can be physical, emotional, or both–and all of it matters when you’re filing an injury claim. Pain and suffering damages often cover:
- Physical pain – Car accidents can cause serious injuries like broken bones, back and neck damage, or chronic pain. These injuries often take time to heal and can affect every part of your life while they do.
- Emotional effects – Fear, anxiety, trouble sleeping, and depression are all common after a traumatic crash. Some people find themselves scared to drive again or struggle to get back to their regular routines.
- Visible scars or disfigurement – If your injuries leave permanent marks, those physical reminders can affect your confidence and emotional well-being.
- Reduced mobility – When you can’t move the way you used to–whether that’s walking, lifting, or doing daily tasks–it’s not just inconvenient. It takes a toll mentally and emotionally too.
These are just some examples, and the specific pain and suffering in your case will be unique to you. But to actually get financial support, you’re going to have to file a claim–where pain and suffering is just a part of what you can get.
What Other Damages Can You Recover After a Car Accident in Visalia?
Pain and suffering is just one part of what you may be able to recover from after a car accident–but it’s far from the only one. If someone else caused your crash, California law gives you the right to seek a range of “damages,” depending on how the accident affected your life. This usually includes things like:
- Medical expenses – From ER visits to surgeries, follow-ups, prescriptions, rehab, or ongoing treatment–these are all part of your claim. Whether it’s short-term care or long-term recovery, those bills add up and you can recover some of those costs.
- Lost wages and reduced earning potential – If your injuries kept you from working–or forced you to take a lower-paying job–you may be able to recover what you’ve lost and what you would’ve earned in the future.
- Emotional distress – Car accidents don’t just cause physical injuries. If the crash has left you with anxiety, trauma, depression, or other emotional impacts, that can be part of your damages too.
- Property damage – This covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle, along with anything else that was damaged in the accident.
- Loss of enjoyment or companionship – If your injuries have changed how you interact with your loved ones or participate in your day-to-day life, this type of damage reflects those deeper losses.
- Wrongful death-related costs – In the most tragic cases, if you’ve lost a loved one in a car accident, a wrongful death claim can help cover funeral expenses and lost support.
Every claim is different, and the damages available depend on what you’ve gone through. That’s why it’s important to start your case as soon as possible–California gives you two years from the date of the accident to file. Miss that deadline, and your right to recovery may be gone.
Remember, though, we’re here to guide you through every step of the process–so you can focus on healing, while we focus on getting you the recovery you need. If you’ve been hurt in a Visalia car accident, we’re ready to listen and help you get started. Set up your free consultation today.
