Van Nuys is filled with everyday movement—parents walking their kids to school and residents simply going about their lives. While most days are uneventful of non-economic damages, some take a sudden turn.
A pedestrian accident can occur in seconds, yet the consequences often stretch far beyond physical injuries.
These accidents are deeply personal. Victims experience more than broken bones or hospital visits. They endure emotional strain as well as lasting psychological distress. While economic damages help with medical bills and lost income, non-economic damages provide recognition for the deeper impact. A Van Nuys pedestrian accident attorney plays an important role in helping victims recover the full range of damages.
Pain and Suffering
The pain after a pedestrian accident is not limited to the immediate physical injuries. It can linger for months or years. This category of damages also includes the emotional toll—the emotional suffering that many victims experience as they recover.
Victims may have difficulty sleeping or experience heightened stress during routine activities. The legal system allows victims to seek compensation for this suffering. Courts acknowledge the long-term effects that follow serious trauma. Courts often use formulas, such as the multiplier method or a daily rate, to calculate these damages.
Emotional Distress
Emotional distress can emerge immediately after the accident or develop slowly over time. Some victims experience post-traumatic stress disorder, while others live in a constant state of anxiety when near traffic or busy intersections. These symptoms can disrupt relationships and change how a person interacts with the world.
Treatment often involves therapy or medication. Emotional distress is considered a separate category of non-economic damage because it reflects the psychological impact of the accident on the mental health of the victim.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
An injury can prevent someone from engaging in activities that once brought joy and fulfillment. Losing the ability to participate in these experiences can deeply affect a person’s quality of life, whether it involves walking in the neighborhood or spending time outdoors with family.
Compensation for loss of enjoyment of life recognizes that physical limitations and emotional trauma can change how someone experiences the world. It acknowledges the absence of freedom and purpose that victims often feel during recovery.
Loss of Consortium
The consequences extend beyond the victim in serious accidents. Spouses may experience changes in emotional closeness, companionship, and support. Loss of consortium damages allows spouses to seek compensation for these changes in their relationship.
Some states allow claims from other close family members, such as children or parents, but this varies. The goal is to provide recognition for the personal impact that a loved one’s injury has on the relationships that matter most.
The Role of an Attorney
Non-economic damages are often the most difficult to prove because they do not come with receipts or financial records. This is where experienced pedestrian accident attorneys offer significant support. They gather the right evidence and make sure the court sees the full picture.
Final Thoughts
A pedestrian accident can reshape someone’s life in ways that go far beyond physical injuries. The loss of peace, joy, and connection is deeply personal and often difficult to explain. Victims can seek accountability and receive the support they need with the help of a skilled attorney.
