Few things in life bring events to a literal screeching, grinding halt the way a car accident can. No one plans to get in a wreck, but they still happen daily. Once you’ve been in a car accident, there are many logistics to handle, from how to get home after the crash to handling insurance and figuring out how to pay the associated bills. Many people who find themselves the victim of a car crash reach out to a car accident lawyer for help handling their case. For many, the foremost question is what the value of their car accident case is.
Every Case Is Different
The simple answer to the question is that there is no simple answer. There’s no single formula that determines how much a case is worth. Car accidents can cause complications to even the simplest of daily tasks. They bring with them the potential for injuries that run the gamut from bumps and bruises to concussions, broken bones, even death. Then there’s the vehicles’ damage, the potential loss of income, and the medical bills. Each accident is unique, as are the circumstances surrounding it. Properly determining the value of your case requires an analysis of each of those factors and the aftermath. It’s a fairly complex process that can take some time to sort out.
How Bad Were Your Injuries?
One of the most significant factors that will impact your case’s worth is how bad your injuries are. Crashes involving sprains and strains don’t have as high a value as crashes involving more severe injuries. Depending on the force and direction of the impact, it’s possible to become seriously injured in a car accident, even if you did everything right. You could wear your seatbelt, follow every traffic law, and keep your vehicle in good working order, and still suffer severe injuries. Broken bones, head trauma, back and spinal cord injuries, soft tissue injuries, and lacerations are all examples of severe injuries that commonly result from car accidents. It’s important to note that while you may not feel injured at the exact time of the crash, you still may have been significantly hurt. It can take time for neck and back pain to manifest after a car accident. The adrenaline may mask symptoms of other injuries in the immediate aftermath of the crash. It’s essential to see a doctor soon after a car accident to be evaluated for any injuries.
How Much Were Your Medical Bills?
Generally speaking, the severity of your injuries will correlate to the expense of your medical bills. It costs a lot more to treat a severe car accident injury than to treat sprains or muscle strains. On the other hand, you could have relatively low medical expenses but have suffered a concussion that left you to suffer life-long consequences. In that case, there’s a decent chance your case is worth well over three times the cost of your medical bills. As you can see, the details matter. Every factor needs to be taken into account when determining how your medical bills’ cost impacts the value of your case.
Did You Lose Income as a Result of the Accident?
Suppose you’ve experienced a loss of income due to the accident.
In that case, a loss of income could impact the value of your car accident settlement. Remember, the point of a settlement is to make things right to the greatest extent possible in the accident’s aftermath. If you can’t work or lose income because of the accident, it’s fitting that you be compensated for your loss. If you miss work due to your injuries, it can help your case if your doctor can verify that. The more documentation you can provide to support the fact that you lost income because of the accident, the stronger your case will be.
How Experienced Is Your Car Accident Attorney?
Whom you retain as your car wreck lawyers will also impact the value of your case. Most cases don’t go to court; instead, most cases are settled. In some cases, though, insurance companies refuse to pay a fair settlement. In that case, the experience of your attorney will come into play more heavily. Your car accident lawyer should have experience talking to insurance companies and dealing with them in court, if necessary. They should be willing and able to file a lawsuit on your behalf and to present your case competently in court. The more experience your attorney has in the courtroom, the better your case will be presented to the jury. With an experienced car accident attorney on your side, the insurance companies usually offer a more fair settlement to avoid the additional hassle of a court case.
It’s not easy to determine how much your car accident case is worth. There are many factors at play, and every case is different. The extent of your injuries, the cost of your medical bills, whether or not you suffered a loss of income due to the crash, and even your attorney’s level of experience can all impact how much you receive for your case. Consult with your attorney and remember to consider all the factors that go into determining your case’s worth when deciding what the value of your car accident case should be.
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