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According to data from the Connecticut Crash Data Repository, there were 102,715 motor vehicle collisions reported in the state in 2022. Following a serious accident, you need compensation to average your damages, including your vehicle repairs, lost wages, and medical bills. 

You may also have non-economic damages, including for pain and suffering. Within this article, our Waterbury car accident lawyer explains the most vital things to understand about recovering financial compensation for pain and suffering after a crash in Connecticut. 

Auto Accident Victims Have a Right to Pursue Compensation for Pain and Suffering

First and foremost, the answer to the question is: “yes, you can seek financial compensation for pain and suffering.” In Connecticut, if you are involved in a car accident, it is not economic damages—such as medical bills or car repair costs—that you can claim. State law recognizes that the trauma of a car crash goes beyond physical injuries. Non-economic damages can also be compensable, and that includes pain and suffering. 

What You Need to Prove to Qualify for Pain and Suffering Damages in Connecticut

To be clear, it is important to understand that you will not automatically get pain and suffering compensation after a car crash in Connecticut. In order to secure financial compensation for your pain and suffering damages, there are two key factors that you must prove: 

• Fault: Liability matters. Connecticut is an at-fault state for motor vehicle accident claims. To hold any other party—from another driver to a trucking company—legally responsible for your pain and suffering, you must prove that they bear fault for the crash. Our state follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule. If you are partially at fault for the accident, your compensation might be reduced proportionately to your degree of blame. 

• Damages: You also need to be prepared to prove the extent of your damages. Be ready to establish not just your physical injuries but also the emotional and psychological impact the accident has had on your life. Among other things, this may include anxiety, depression, loss of enjoyment of activities, or strain in your personal relationships. A Connecticut auto accident lawyer can help you document the extent of your pain and suffering damages. 

Understanding How Pain and Suffering is Valued in Connecticut

Non-economic damages, by definition, do not have a specific dollar amount. That being said, pain and suffering damages still need to be valued as part of the auto accident injury claims process. In Connecticut, a totality of the circumstances assessment will be made to determine the proper amount a person should be granted for his or her pain and suffering. Factors like the severity of your injuries, the impact on your daily life, and the duration of your recovery are considered. In some cases, a multiplier method is used. Your economic damages—(like medical bills and lost wages—are multiplied by a number—usually between 1.5 and 5—to value your pain and suffering. 

Insurers Often Undervalue Non-Economic Damages—A Lawyer Can Help 

How much compensation can you expect to recover for your pain and suffering after a car crash in Connecticut? The answer varies based on many case-driven factors. With that being said, you should not expect any insurance company—even your own provider—to make the legal claims process easy. Indeed, Insurance companies often try to minimize the payout for pain and suffering. 

In some cases, they may dispute fault. In other cases, they may argue that the physical pain and/or 

emotional distress is not as severe as claimed or that the victim is otherwise exaggerating their suffering. Do not take on a big insurance company alone. You need a skilled Connecticut motor vehicle accident attorney on your side every step of the way. 

Your attorney can review your case, consult medical experts, document your damages, and proactively negotiate with insurers to ensure that your pain and suffering are appropriately valued. Of course, your pain and suffering is only one aspect of your claim. Other damages must be taken into consideration as well, including medical bills and lost wages. 

Set Up a Free Consultation With a Top Tier Connecticut Auto Accident Lawyer Today

At Etemi Law, our Connecticut car crash attorneys are ready to fight for justice. Have questions about getting compensation for pain and suffering? We are the resource you can trust. Contact us now for a no cost, no commitment case evaluation. From our law offices in Waterbury and Watertown, our team fights for auto accident victims throughout Connecticut.