Insurance companies usually calculate pain and suffering using formulas rather than just guessing, even though it is still a subjective number. Most adjusters start with your economic damages like medical bills and lost wages, then apply a multiplier (often between 1.5 and 5) based on how serious and long lasting your injuries are, or they use a daily “per diem” amount multiplied by the days you are expected to suffer. They also look at factors like how clearly the other driver is at fault, how strong your medical records are, whether your injuries are permanent, and how the accident has affected your daily life before deciding what they are actually willing to offer.