CAR ACCIDENT INJURY PAIN AND SUFFERING COMPENSATION – HOW TO GET IT
If you have been injured in a car accident that was the other driver’s fault, you have the right to auto insurance compensation. This includes payment of medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our car crash lawyers are frequently asked how to get pain and suffering compensation from a car accident. Also, how is the amount of pain and suffering compensation determined?
First, every car in Minnesota is required to have insurance that includes PIP No Fault coverage. This insurance pays for medical bills and lost wages of anyone injured in a car accident. No-Fault insurance pays regardless of who caused the crash. However, No-Fault insurance is limited. Additional compensation from an auto accident, including pain and suffering, requires the injured person meet a “threshold.” If you do meet a threshold, the additional compensation comes from the other driver’s insurance.
The threshold requirement to be qualified for pain and suffering compensation after a car accident is one of three things: Either $4,000 in non-diagnostic medical bills, or a 60 day disability, or a permanent injury. In some serious car accident cases, the threshold is met immediately after the crash. For example, if the injured person requires hospitalization and surgery.
However, in other cases, the extent of the injury is not known immediately after the crash. It may take time before a pain and suffering threshold is met. In addition, in those less obvious cases, the car insurance company may dispute that the injury was really caused by the crash. For example, a preexisting condition. They often try to deny compensation on that basis. This is something our MN car accident lawyers deal with every day.
EXPERIENCED INJURY COMPENSATION ATTORNEYS
The bottom line is that pain and suffering compensation for a car accident injury depends on the seriousness of the injury. We start by looking at the medical treatment and doctor reports. The extent of disruption to the life of the injured person is a factor. Also, the prognosis for future symptoms and treatment is considered. For more information about car crash cases in MN, click here for the State Patrol website.
If you have been injured in a car accident in Minnesota and likely have questions about pain and suffering compensation. You are welcome to call us and speak with a lawyer. The initial consultation is free. Pam Rochlin and David Rochlin have 25 years’ experience. We have represented hundreds of people injured in car accidents. We have several convenient meeting locations in the Twin Cities. Our car accident lawyers also make house calls to people throughout Minnesota. We frequently meet people over Zoom as well. Our primary focus is to get justice for our clients and make sure they get the compensation they need and are entitled to.