Many people wrongfully assume that only physical damages are recoverable after a car accident, but this is not so. Victims of car accidents are often able to recover financial compensation for a type of damage known as “pain and suffering.”
After any kind of personal injury accident, the consequences can be much more than physical. If you are suffering from severe emotional distress that is impacting your daily life, you may have a claim for damages against the responsible party.
Car accidents can be devastating.
If you win a personal injury lawsuit, the court will award you damages for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, etc. In some cases, you may also be able to recover prejudgment interest. Prejudgment interest is additional compensation awarded for the time between when you were injured until the court entered the judgment.
When a person suffers repeated concussions, the trauma can lead to a severe long-term condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). CTE is a degenerative disease that causes brain inflammation, and unfortunately, it can only be diagnosed at autopsy. As a result, experts are still trying to understand the extent of its repercussions, but it is associated with post-concussive syndrome, second impact syndrome, and the development of dementia.
Negotiations to settle a personal injury claim typically begin with a demand letter. It is the initial contact a claimant makes with an alleged at-fault party in an attempt to resolve the case before filing a lawsuit.
Personal injury protection (PIP) is not required in Missouri, but opting for this kind of insurance is highly advisable. Instead of PIP, Missouri insurance companies refer to this type of coverage as medical payments insurance, or “MedPay.” MedPay coverage can pay for medical treatment after an accident and helps minimize out-of-pocket payments.