Victims of personal injury accidents cannot help but wonder how much their injury claim will be valued. This has led to some victims hopping from one lawyer to another, trying to get one who will help them get the highest compensation.
While it is a good thing to have an idea of how much your claim is worth, clients who settle for lawyers because they promise to get them higher amounts end up making mistakes. Consider an attorney who gives promises of an exact amount, a red flag.
There is no specific formula for calculating the value of personal injury cases. Each claim is different, and there are numerous factors to be considered before settling. A reputable personal injury law firm will help you understand the factors affecting your claim and set reasonable expectations.
What Are the Factors Affecting Personal Injury Claim Settlements?
1. Degree of Injuries
Accidents result in different types of injuries. Some victims will suffer severe injuries including brain damage, broken bones, back injuries, and any other severe injury. At the same time, some will leave the accident with soft tissue injuries and bruises.
The more severe the injuries, the larger the settlement payment. If your injuries result in permanent conditions, your lawyer will have to estimate the cost of the future treatment cost. With such, the victim gets paid more, but their case will also take longer.
2. To What Extent Has the Injury Affected Your Life
The level at which the injuries affect the victim’s daily life is another factor to look at when deciding on personal injury cases. Some injuries result in disabilities, affect the ability of the victim to resume previous work, or make it impossible for them to perform normal life activities. In such cases, the defendant will pay the victim more.
If negligence led to defamation or mental illness, you would need to prove calculable effects to your personal life, business, or profession.
3. Proof of Liability
You cannot win a personal injury claim without proof of liability. Your lawyer should be able to show that the person at fault was entirely responsible for the injuries. The ability to prove liability affects the value and time taken to settle your case. If you have suffered from an injury, you should get in touch with a Modesto personal injury lawyer. They will provide you with a comprehensive consultation and professional guidance to determine if you have a valid claim.
If the victim contributes to the cause of the accident, the value of the claim goes down. In some situations, they do not receive any payment at all. Note that hiding mistakes might turn the whole case against you. Honesty is critical in personal injury cases.
4. Ability to Attract Bad Publicity
There is nothing as bad as bad publicity. If you are injured in an accident where the person in the wrong is likely to attract bad exposure, you will get paid more.
If the person at fault is a high-profile, whose business or career will be affected by lawsuits, they will do anything to protect their name.
5. Previous Injury Cases Against the Defendant
If the services or products of the party at fault have led to injuries before, you are in for large amounts. Because of breaking the safety rules, the court will order the defendant to pay you more. Also, they will have to make changes to their services or products to prevent future injuries.
Work with a Personal Injury Attorney
Before filing a personal injury claim, consult with a lawyer. They will look at the factors that will affect the value of your claim. With the correct information, you will know what to expect.
