If you have suffered injuries in a car accident, a slip and fall, or any other type of incident through no fault of your own, you may be trying to grasp what happened, going to medical appointments, missing work, and, in general, feeling that the life you are living now does not resemble your life before the accident. You may be considering talking to a personal injury attorney but are unsure whether this is worthwhile since you do not know how much your case is worth. Unfortunately, this is not an easy question to answer.
When it comes to insurance companies, they take into account both the extent of your injuries and how much they have paid out in the past when faced with cases similar to yours. Ultimately, the final amount can be decided either after negotiation or by a jury in a trial.
To determine how much your personal injury case may be worth, it is crucial to figure out your economic and non-economic damages. Working with an experienced personal injury lawyer is the best way to get an accurate figure.
Adding Up Economic and Non-Economic Damages
Economic damages are easier to add up. They include all your medical bills related to the injury, the cost to repair or replace the property that was lost or damaged, wages that you have lost when you have had to take time off work, and any other out-of-pocket costs.
Non-economic damages include such items as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and any other conditions that may have arisen as a result of the accident and be taking a toll on your mental or physical health. Your lawyer can use an established formula to place a figure to this category of damages.
Factors that Impact the Value of Your Case
The unique aspects of your case will play a role in the amount of money you may receive. Also, other points that may play a role are:
The Severity of Your Injuries
It’s hard to justify a large settlement when the injuries are minor. This means that the greater your injuries, the larger the settlement you may expect. It is understood that severe injuries call for more extensive care and rehabilitation, and these costs should be reimbursed in a fair settlement.
The Long-Term Impact of the Injuries
If you have suffered a permanent disability due to the accident, this will increase the case’s value. Much more so if this impedes your ability to work and has a drastic impact on the quality of your life.
Lost Wages
Not only can you expect to be reimbursed for wages you have lost up to now, but you may also add loss of future earnings if you have become too disabled to work or if your disability will make you get a different kind of job that pays less.
Prior Injuries
Injuries you might have suffered in prior accidents give insurance companies the perfect excuse to argue that your injuries happened in the past. This may result in a lower settlement. Talk to your personal injury attorneys about any accident you were involved in in the past and any old injuries. This way, they will know what to say to the insurance company.