“Can I get my medical bills paid?”
“Will I be able to recover lost wages?”
“What about the damage to my property?”
In the case of the wrongful death of a spouse or loved one, people wonder how they will care for their family.
Every question here is a valid one. And all are part of determining the value of a personal injury claim. When we hear someone ask, “How much is my case worth?” our answer is always, “It depends” because many factors impact a personal injury claim or lawsuit. Even a general estimate is difficult.
To understand how much compensation your personal injury case is worth, we need to know the scope of your claim. When you work with a law firm, an investigation will be conducted by a personal injury attorney. Your lawyer will gather evidence, including any facts and details that could help determine a settlement amount. This information is critical in working with insurance companies and insurance adjusters. Should your claim go to court, it will help make your case to a judge and jury, so the responsible party is held accountable for their carelessness.
Ultimately, the various aspects of your claim impact its worth, including medical bills, property damage, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses. All of these are part of your damages.
Let’s take a closer look at what is meant by damages.
Damages is a legal term that refers to the monetary value of losses for a plaintiff. To receive damages, you must first prove that you experienced harm or loss caused by another party or parties. A permanent injury or disability tends to carry more value than those with temporary or short-term impacts.
There are two basic types of damages in most personal injury cases — special or economic damages and general or non-economic damages.
Economic damages are just that — they are losses that have a current or future financial impact on your life. Typically, these costs are easily calculated because they are based on recorded amounts. A personal injury lawyer can conduct a review of your bills to determine the value of economic damages.
Common economic damages include:
Non-economic damages are generally more challenging to account for because much of this category is subjective. These damages usually account for the psychological and physical toll a plaintiff experiences due to injuries or trauma from an accident.
Common non-economic damages include:
The type of injury, pain, and discomfort someone experiences at the fault of another must be accounted for. If you have experienced a personal injury caused by someone else, the first thing you should do is contact an attorney to explore your options. Choose a firm that does not charge for an initial consultation and works on a contingency fee basis. This means no fees are paid unless your case is won.
Every situation is unique. Injuries vary in severity and long-term impact, recovery times look different, and proof of liability or negligence isn’t always straightforward. As personal injury attorneys, The Advocates work with clients who have experienced injury or wrongful death due to another individual’s or entity’s carelessness.
If you have a personal injury claim, we will help determine the value of your case and do everything we can to make sure you are compensated for your losses.
Reach out to us. Call at (208) 995-2444 or visit.