Non-Economic Damages

Non-Economic Damages: What Your Pain Is Worth After an Accident

When you’re injured in a car crash, the impact goes far beyond the bills. The pain. The stress. The missed moments. Non-economic damages are how the law accounts for what can’t be measured in dollars and cents — the personal, emotional, and psychological toll of an injury.

Unlike medical costs or lost wages, non-economic damages compensate for the intangible losses that follow an accident. These may be harder to calculate, but they’re just as real — and often just as life-changing.

What Non-Economic Damages Cover

Every accident is different, but some of the most common non-economic losses include:

• Pain and suffering – Physical discomfort, chronic pain, or reduced mobility
• Emotional distress – Anxiety, depression, PTSD, or fear related to the trauma
• Loss of enjoyment – When your injuries prevent you from doing the things you love
• Disfigurement or scarring – Especially in visible areas, affecting confidence or social comfort
• Loss of companionship – Impact on relationships, intimacy, and family life

How Are These Damages Evaluated?

Unlike a hospital bill, there’s no receipt for trauma. Courts and insurers use a variety of factors to estimate what non-economic damages should be — including:

• Severity of your injuries
• How long your recovery lasts (or if full recovery is possible)
• Impact on daily life and long-term quality of life
• Psychological or emotional side effects
• Testimony from doctors, therapists, or mental health experts

Your story, your medical records, and even your personal journal entries or witness accounts can all help demonstrate the toll your injuries have taken — and what compensation would look like in a just outcome.

Why They Matter in Personal Injury Claims

In car accident and injury cases, non-economic damages are often a major part of the total recovery. Especially when the physical and emotional impact lasts far beyond the crash itself.

They’re designed to help you move forward with dignity — to compensate for what you’ve lost, even if it can’t be replaced.

Don’t Leave This Out of Your Case

Insurance companies tend to downplay non-economic damages — or ignore them altogether. That’s why it’s critical to work with an attorney who knows how to:

• Prove the extent of your suffering
• Present compelling evidence and testimony
• Push for full and fair compensation — in settlement or trial

If you’ve been hurt and your life has changed because of it, this type of compensation matters. And you deserve to be taken seriously.

Let’s Talk About Your Case