How Do I Calculate the Value of My Personal Injury Case?
When you are involved in an accident in Santa Barbara, it’s only natural to want to know the value of your personal injury case and whether it will cover your expenses. According to Santa Barbara personal injury attorneys, the compensation you will receive for your general damages is influenced by various factors, as there is no one-size-fits-all formula to ascertain the absolute value.
However, some things influence your final settlement amount, and you can deduce a fair estimate of how much you receive by evaluating certain elements of your personal injury case. Here is what you should consider:
Medical Expenses Both Present and Future
Among the first steps to calculate the value of your personal injury claim is to consider the cost of your medical treatment relating to your injuries, including hospital bills, doctor visits, physical therapy sessions, and any out-of-pocket expenses related to medical care.
Yet, your current medical expenses aren’t the only thing that might indicate the value of your personal injury case. You must also consider and estimate the future cost of medical procedures needed to treat your injuries, such as ongoing therapy or long-term care.
Apart from this, all the pain and suffering related to your injuries and recovery, the emotional distress and anguish caused by the accident, or if you developed any mental disorders such as PTSD following the accident can also be included in your general damages claim.
Even though these types of damages are intangible, they are compensated nonetheless. They are, more often than not, far more financially rewarding than tangible damages, such as the cost of medical bills, lost wages, or property damage.
Lost Wages
Another aspect that you should consider when estimating the value of your personal injury case is how much the accident affected your working capabilities. If the injuries were so severe that you could not work, you should be compensated for your lost future and past wages. Anything that reduces your earning capacity in the future should also be highlighted in your personal injury case to add more value to your claim and receive fair compensation.
Property Damage
Sometimes, personal injury victims, apart from suffering due to their injuries, also have to deal with the aspect of repairing or replacing their damaged property. The cost of such repairs or replacement, such as in the case of a vehicle, should also be used to estimate the value of your claim.
Punitive Damages
Even though punitive damages aren’t meant to reward you financially directly, they can be used in personal injury cases to punish the at-fault party’s conduct, especially if it was reckless.
Consult With a Personal Injury Attorney
All personal injury cases have their own specific implications and circumstances that can affect their value. Even though you can look up other personal injury cases similar to yours and check the value of the compensation rewarded to the victims, that doesn’t necessarily mean you will be awarded the same value.
However, working with a personal injury lawyer is one way to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your troubles. Lawyers can prepare your case in such a way as to demand higher settlement amounts, and they know exactly what you are entitled to and can negotiate on your behalf.
