What’s My Case Worth
If you are involved in a personal injury case and want to get the best possible outcome, you are likely wondering how much your case is worth. It’s important you understand that most personal injury cases end in a settlement instead of going to trial.
Knowing the value of your case is the only way you can decide if you should accept the settlement or take your chances at trial. Several factors will determine the value of your case and the path you should choose. Although this guide can point you in the right direction, you must also speak with an experienced personal injury attorney.
Medical Bills
After an accident occurs, your medical bills are one of the most demonstrable categories of damages. When you combine the cost of the ambulance, testing and treatment, the fees add up much faster than you might think. Insurance companies will not always want to pay the amount you deserve, and taking legal action is often the only way to get a fair outcome. Add up all of your medical bills to get an idea of how much the medical bill portion of the claim is worth. You will be moving in the right direction, but you still have a lot of work to do before you can relax.
Property Damage
In addition to harming people, accidents can also destroy your property. Being in a car accident could mean your car is no longer safe to drive, leaving you without a way to work. You might only face small repair fees if you are lucky, but you could have to buy a new car in the worst case. Since this problem can damage your budget if you do not find a way to protect yourself, consider the total cost of your property damage when deciding the value of your case. You can get a clear picture of what to expect, and you will avoid settling for less than your case is worth.
It should be noted that when you have collision coverage on your own insurance policy, it is often quicker and more effective to use this coverage to pay for your property damage even if you were not at fault. Often times your insurance company will arbitrate the property damage claim against the other driver’s insurance company and if it is successful it gets its money back and refunds your deductible.
Lost Wages
Some people get into accidents and assume their medical bills and car repair fees are the only costs they will face. Their oversight can stop them from seeing the true value of their case, and you do not want to make their mistake. Your injuries could force you to spend time away from work so that you can make a full recovery. Spending a few days away from work is enough to cause problems for most people, but you may need to take more time than that away from your job to heal. Make sure you calculate your lost wages as you move forward.
Future Medical Treatment
Do not forget that you may also have medical problems in the future, and you will need to pay for them. Some people make the mistake of thinking their current medical bills are the only bills that need to be taken into consideration. Those who fall into that trap will sometimes settle for less money than their case is worth, causing them to go into debt. Speak with your doctor and get the total cost of all your treatments and therapy. Adding those costs to your total puts you one step closer to your goal.
Pain and Suffering
Not only can you seek compensation for your physical losses, but you can also seek damages for your pain and suffering. Unlike car repairs and medical bills, the value of pain and suffering is hard to calculate, and not everyone will agree on how much those things are worth.
Some accident victims decide on an amount and refuse to budge. Taking that path can cause more problems than it is worth, so do not follow in their footsteps. Speak with your personal injury lawyer to see how much compensation you should get for your pain and suffering, which gives you a much better shot at reaching your desired outcome.
Final Thoughts
Facing a legal battle is a difficult and challenging situation that can cause a lot of stress and discomfort. If you are having trouble deciding if you should settle or take your fight to trial, the information from this guide can make your job a little easier.
Knowing the value of your case and how much money you need to cover the related expenses gives you a good starting point. People will often try adding these factors up on their own without looking for help. Rather than trying to do it alone, enlist the help of a personal injury lawyer so that you can be confident in the decision you make.