What is a personal injury settlement?
When someone suffers an injury, there are typically a lot of consequences that the individual and their loved ones are left to deal with. Some of these include medical bills, loss of income, legal fees, and pain or suffering. It’s important that those who are liable are held accountable so that victims can receive the proper compensation needed to cover adequate expenses.
A personal injury settlement is a legally bound agreement between the injured and the individual who was negligent and caused the injury. Usually, this agreement awards an amount of money that the at-fault party will pay the injured person(s) to stop pursuing them in court for anything related to the injury. This agreement allows the injured person(s) to receive compensation for their damage without a time-consuming trial.
As a personal injury attorney, I help my clients understand the basics of the legal process to protect their rights, make informed decisions, and receive proper compensation. Every case is unique. Therefore the process can vary between cases.
Game-Changing Factors That Influence the Amount of a Personal Injury Settlement
The Severity of Your Injury
The seriousness of the injury plays a crucial role in determining the compensation for a personal injury settlement. With serious injuries, several factors come into play. Some include increased medical expenses, increased pain and suffering, a longer period of discomfort, and extended time off from work. The more serious the injury, the greater the settlement amount is likely to be. If you or someone you know has experienced a catastrophic injury, you may be entitled to higher compensation. The best way to find out is to contact me to discuss your injuries.
Medical Expenses
Medical expenses can pile up quickly. In order to get compensation, you must receive a complete injury analysis and understand the full costs related to your injury before agreeing to any settlements. This is necessary because some injuries require long-term medical attention and can lead to related health issues in the future. It is important to keep records of all medical bills and other paperwork so we can use them to build your case effectively.
Lost Earning Capacity and Loss of Income
When you are injured, you are often unable to work for the duration of the recovery process. Loss of income is a large factor when determining personal injury settlements. This is the amount of money lost while you are recovering from a personal injury. The amount of income lost varies, depending on the severity of your injury and the amount of time you are away from you job.
In more serious personal injury cases, we may consider lost earning capacity. Lost earning capacity is the financial loss that you could experience due to the personal injury. Typically this is the case when the your injuries prevent you from working in your previous field. This adds further financial stress on top of medical bills and typical everyday expenses and in some cases requires an entire lifestyle adjustment.
Severity of Property Damage
Factoring the cost of property damage is frequently a part of settlements and is particularly prevalent in car accident injury cases. Property damage includes the cost of repairs, market value, depreciation, loss of use, and documentation of personal property. The higher the value of the property that was damaged, the more money can factor into the settlement.
Liability
Liability varies depending on case-specific details. We have to establish liability before we can create any settlement. In most cases, the liability of a party occurs because they were negligent. To prove liability, you must be able to demonstrate that you were hurt. Additionally, the injury must be measurable via medical bills, witness statements, photographs, or accident reports.
Finding the Right Attorney is Important.
Personal injury settlements are hardly ever straightforward and require the consideration of numerous components to create the perfect accommodation for each circumstance. That is why you want to contact me directly, and as soon as possible, so me and my team can help you gather the necessary evidence, and guide you through the process. If you become a client, I will negotiate on your behalf and ensure you receive a fair compensation for you injuries and damages.
Not all personal injury cases settle. In some cases a suitable settlement can’t be reached and the case needs to proceed to court. Some attorneys avoid court in these cases, but I’m not afraid to fight in court for your case if I feel that its warranted. I’m not afraid to stand up to the giants and will fight to get you the most possible compensation for your injuries.
Remember, that I also work on a contingency basis. This means I only get paid once we settle your case or take it to trial and win. Call me today for a free consultation (407) 513-9515 !