How Is the Value of a Personal Injury Claim Determined?
Recovering Compensation After a Personal Injury
The amount of money awarded to a victim involved in an accident will depend on many factors. Damages are often calculated and determined in advance to make the victim aware of how much he or she can collect.
A lot of clients that have been injured will assume that the value of their case is the exact amount of money they will end up getting. However, this is not always the case. Victims are advised to consult with legal professionals that can determine how much the claim is worth based on various factors, including the severity of the different injuries, the impact these injuries will have on a victim’s life, and the initial cause of the accident. The attorney would let the victim know how much compensation he or she could expect to receive during a settlement with the liable party.
Estimating the Amount of Compensation a Victim Should Receive
A lawyer will work on the calculations based on what is standard for the type of accident the victim was involved in. Special factors are considered, including the extent of the injuries. For example, if the accident caused more severe injuries to the victim and the victim will no longer be able to work or participate in certain activities, that information is used to help the attorney come up with a decent estimate on the amount of compensation the victim should receive from the liable party.
Many factors are considered when the lawyer is doing calculations. Some of these factors include:
- Loss of income from being out of work
- Cost of the bills that are coming in from the hospital
- Property damage that may have occurred during the accident
- Pain and suffering
Some victims are awarded more compensation for their pain and suffering because their injuries are considered catastrophic. The catastrophic injuries are the types of injuries that can drastically alter a person’s ability to do different things and may include traumatic injuries to the brain, the loss of limbs, loss of vision, or paralyzation.
Gathering More Evidence to Receive More Compensation
If it is hard to prove who was at fault and there is not a lot of information to go on, a victim could receive much less compensation than someone who can easily prove that the other person involved in the accident was at fault. Because the lawyer wants to help the client receive as much compensation as possible after going through something traumatic and serious, the lawyer will attempt to gather more evidence that proves that someone else was responsible for the accident. Some ways of gathering evidence include getting statements from witnesses that were there when the accident occurred, reviewing police reports, and even finding out if the other motorist was driving without insurance.
After completing the calculations, the lawyer will then discuss compensation options with the client. Victims need to understand that the overall value of the case does differ from the amount of compensation they will receive. As long as an experienced attorney is hired, the victim of an accident can still receive enough compensation to cover various damages, including the medical expenses, loss of income, and pain and suffering.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer in Hazlet, Brick or Red Bank to Discuss Your Car Accident Case
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to car accidents, slip and fall or another type of personal injury in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Drazin and Warshaw, P.C. represent clients injured because of slips and falls, car accidents and motorcycle accidents in Ocean County, Jackson Township, Toms River, Brick and throughout New Jersey. Call Drazin & Warshaw, P.C. at 732-773-9696 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 937 Cedar Bridge Avenue in Brick, NJ 08723 as well as offices in Hazlet and Red Bank.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
