Have you been injured as a result of an accident that wasn’t your fault? If so, you may feel as if your world has been turned upside down. You might find yourself injured, unable to work, facing ongoing medical treatment and constantly incoming bills, and wondering how you’ll take the next steps forward to continue to provide for yourself and your family. It can be overwhelming, to say the least.
If this sounds like your situation, you may have arrived at this page wondering whether you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for your injuries – and if so, what your claim might be worth. If so, at The Law Firm, we’re glad you’re here, and we’re ready to help you find the answer to that question.
The short answer to the question of what a personal injury claim might be worth is, as with so many legal matters, “it depends.” Ultimately, every claim will be different, and the compensation to which you might be entitled will depend on the laws of your state, and the unique circumstances of your case. As a result, it is always the wisest course of action to meet with a knowledgeable and experienced attorney who can listen to your story and advise you in more detail as to the potential value of your claim.
With that in mind, however, here are a few important tips as you consider the process of filing a claim and what it might be worth:
- Don’t rely on insurance estimates: All too often, accident victims rely on insurance companies to advise them as to what their claim might be worth – but doing can be misleading. Insurance companies, after all, are businesses, and thus often interested in saving as much money as possible, rather than paying out the maximum amount of a claim’s potential value. This is not to mention the fact that an insurance company is typically not going to take the time to truly understand the extent of your injuries and really think through the details of your case and how they might affect the value of your claim.
- Learn what damages might be available in your state: Typically, each state has various categories of damages that may be proven in a personal injury claim. Learning what damages might be available in your state and considering whether they might apply in your case can be helpful. In North Carolina, for example, there are generally three types of damages available, including general, special, and in some cases, punitive damages:
- Special Damages: Special damages are damages that can be calculated to a fairly specific amount if correct receipts and documentation are available. Special damages may include the cost of medical treatment (including past treatment costs, current costs, and anticipated future costs), lost wages (past and potential future earnings), and damages for out-of-pocket expenses, which usually consist of expenses that you would not have incurred but for the accident (these could include expenses for property damage, travel expenses to seek treatment, and other similar expenses).
- General Damages: General damages tend to be damages that are more subjective in nature, and may include compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium, among other potential damages.
- Punitive Damages: Depending upon the particular jurisdiction in which you live, punitive damages may also be available in your case. These are essentially damages that are intended to “punish” a defendant for bad conduct – they are typically awarded in situations where the behavior of the defendant has gone beyond mere negligence and is of a particularly reckless and wanton nature. Punitive damages are more rarely awarded, so consulting with a knowledgeable and experienced attorney as to whether they might apply in your case is always essential.
- Consider the complexity of your case: In each case, the circumstances will be different, but as a general rule of thumb, the complexity of your case will be a factor in its value. Do you have severe and lasting injuries that require lengthy and ongoing medical treatment as opposed to a temporary injury that resolved quickly? Are there multiple defendants involved in your case? Do any of the defendants have significant assets?
All of the foregoing questions are important ones to ask, but perhaps the most important question you can ask yourself following an accident is – have I found and retained an attorney that I trust? At The Law Firm, that’s where we come in.
The Law Firm – Here for You
If you’ve been injured as a result of an accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation – and if you are, you deserve to have a team of attorneys on your side who will fight for you every step of the way. When you’re injured, you want to recover the maximum amount that your claim is worth – and at The Law Firm, we know the best legal strategies to help you pursue that goal. If you’re ready to get started, we’re here to help.
Francis Babet loves pursuing excellence through writing and has a passion for Legal. He currently writes for The law Firm, a USA Based Law Firm that provides SSD, SSI, SSDI, Personal Injury, and Drugs and Devices. His work has been published on various sites related to Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income and more.