How Will My Car Accident Settlement Value Be Determined?
Personal injury attorneys determine the value of car accident claims by identifying and documenting all the damages you suffered.
Identifying the value of economic damages—the cost of your medical treatment, the value of your lost income, etc.—is straightforward. Non-economic damages, such as emotional trauma and pain and suffering, are less objective and thus more open to negotiation.
Other damages that can affect the value of your case include any medical treatment or care that you will need in the future as well as any further anticipated loss of income, benefits, or opportunities.
If you sustained any permanent damage, such as scarring, loss of function, etc., you may be entitled to compensation for that loss as well as any associated loss of life’s enjoyment. If you can no longer work or perform your prior occupational duties, you could be eligible to recover damages for diminished earning capacity.
Finally, you should be able to pursue compensation for any personal property damage you suffered. This might include the repair or replacement of your vehicle if it was damaged in the accident, the cost of towing your vehicle, the expense of a rental car, etc.
The best way to know what your claim might be worth—and how long it might take to get a settlement—is to talk to an experienced car accident lawyer.