If you are like most people who have suffered a personal injury, one of your first legal questions is likely: How much will my claim be worth? The answer to that depends on a number of factors. The best way to get an accurate estimate about your specific claim is to contact a personal injury attorney for a free legal consultation. You can reach The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000. In the meantime, read on to learn about some of the factors.
Who Was at Fault?
First, it will depend on who was at fault for your accident. Note that while some people believe that if they are injured in a car accident that was partially their fault they do not have a right to sue, this is false. In the state of California, if someone else was even 1% at fault, you can technically sue them. However, your award would be reduced by the percentage of your fault. For example, if you were found to be 50% at fault then your award would be reduced by 50%.
How Serious Were Your Injuries?
The severity of your injuries will have a big impact on the eventual personal injury settlement or jury award you receive in two ways. First, the more serious injury is, the more likely it is to be very expensive. For example, an injury that requires several surgeries will be more expensive than an injury that heals after a few weeks with minimal medical intervention.
Second, the severity of your injury likely affects your pain and suffering claim. After all, an injury with many surgeries and months of physical therapy would cause more pain and suffering than a sprained wrist that heals with a few weeks’ worths of rest.
Did You Follow the Instructions of Your Doctor?
If you did not follow medical advice then the other side may be able to make a case that you would not have suffered such high damages if you had. For example, if you were told to go back for physical therapy and you declined to do so, and then suffered a re-injury, the insurance company may argue that you would not have suffered a re-injury if you had followed the doctor’s orders.
How Much Are Your Current and Future Medical Bills?
One of the biggest factors will be the actual cost of your medical treatment. Note that this is not just the initial costs of going to the hospital or doctor – it should also include all future medical bills related to the injury. This is part of why it is so important to work with a personal injury attorney. We can both determine a fair amount for future medical costs and provide evidence of that amount. Contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 now for a free legal consultation.
