Posted on Saturday, June 1st, 2024 at 9:00 am
Utah residents who have been harmed through no fault of their own must deal with the financial burden of their injuries. The physical toll of a personal injury case is often made worse by the financial worries that accompany it. But, how much is my personal injury case worth?
No two personal injury cases have the same value, and arriving at an average is impossible, as each case’s value is based on the specifics of one person’s accident. The financial outcome of a claim or lawsuit depends on the injury’s severity, the limits of the at-fault party’s insurance policy, and other factors.
A skilled Sandy and Provo personal injury attorney understands personal injury law and can help you receive compensation for your accident-related injuries and losses. If you’ve been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you should not hesitate to obtain legal counsel. Under Utah law, you have only four years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit against the party that caused the harm. Four years can speed by quickly when you’re healing and trying to handle financial issues from the accident. A lawyer can ensure that you don’t miss any critical deadlines.
Personal Injury Settlement
Personal injury cases typically settle before a trial is required. A settlement agreement is one in which the at-fault party agrees to pay a specific amount of money to the injured party, and the injured party agrees to release the at-fault party from any further liability for the accident.
Experienced attorneys have years of negotiation with insurance companies and know how to accurately assess the value of your case. This knowledge helps them pursue a fair settlement for you. Settlements may include money for:
- Medical expenses: This compensation includes money for hospital bills and surgeries. This also includes future medical expenses that you may incur after treatment such as medications and rehabilitation. The treatment required for the injury significantly impacts the value of a personal injury claim.
- Lost wages: If your injury prevents you from working for a time, you can recover money for that missed work. This category of loss also includes lost future earnings should you be unable to return to your regular job or any kind of gainful occupation.
- Pain and suffering: Intangible losses have value, and this category covers those losses. You could obtain compensation for the physical pain and emotional suffering the injury caused. This also includes any resulting anxiety, depression, PTSD, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of quality of life, or loss of intimate relationships.
- Property damage: You can recover compensation for the cost to repair or replace any personal property that was damaged during the incident.
Factors Affecting Injury Settlement Amounts in Personal Injury Cases
How much is my personal injury case worth? No two personal injury cases are identical, and putting a concrete number on what someone can expect in a personal injury settlement is difficult. The facts of the case have a direct bearing on the amount the injured party may be eligible to receive. Several factors can influence the amount of your injury settlement:
- Severity of Injury – The severity of the injury affects the settlement’s size. A person can expect a larger settlement if the injury incurs significant medical costs and dramatically impacts their life.
- Fault – Utah law follows the comparative negligence standard in personal injury cases. Under this system, if the plaintiff is partially at fault for their injury, the compensation they are entitled to is reduced by their percentage of fault. However, an injured party cannot recover any compensation if they were 50% or more at fault for the accident.
- Evidence – The strength of the evidence used to prove your case will affect the amount of compensation you receive. Strong evidence includes medical records, witness statements, video of the incident, and accident reports.
- Legal Representation – Experienced personal injury lawyers are trained to negotiate with insurance companies. They understand the worth of your case and will advocate on your behalf.
The Role of Insurance Companies in Personal Injury Claims
The at-fault party’s insurance company is typically responsible for compensating the injured party. Because insurance adjusters work to pay as little in compensation as possible, they may use tactics to deny or undervalue your claim. They may advise you not to get a lawyer because any additional money the lawyer would get for you would just be lawyer’s fees.
Or they might insist that you provide them with a recorded statement about the accident and ask you leading questions. The answers to those questions could later be taken out of context to imply that your answers were inconsistent and that you aren’t as injured as you claim. They may make an initial settlement offer that is far too low and claim that it is their final offer.
An experienced personal injury attorney can take on your case and handle all communications with the insurer on your behalf. This will keep you from inadvertently saying something that might harm or diminish the value of your case. Your attorney will know which is the best type of evidence to procure to prove your case. They will also know how and where that evidence can be obtained. Your attorney will work to negotiate a fair settlement for you.
How to Estimate Compensation in Injury Cases
Estimating and seeking compensation for a personal injury case involves and requires skill and experience. First, keep detailed records of all expenses related to your injuries and the incident. That could include medical bills, prescription expenses, transportation expenses to and from health care appointments. This can also include receipts for property repair or replacement and documentation of lost wages. Your claim will include the total of all these expenses.
If you are injured by someone else’s negligence, you’ll need documentation to prove the subjective aspects of your claim. Medical records can show that your injuries would have resulted in pain and suffering. The testimony of friends and family members can attest to any changes in your life that resulted from your injuries. If you keep a journal that reflects a daily pain score and how the injuries affect your ability to engage with life, that can be strong evidence.
An experienced personal injury attorney will know how to assess the intangible losses from your injuries to arrive at an appropriate compensation amount.
Contact a Skilled Utah Lawyer
How much is my personal injury case worth? Assessing the value of injury claims and determining the value of a personal injury case is a complex process. It requires careful consideration of various factors. A skilled Sandy and Provo personal injury attorney from London Harker Injury Law can give you a clear picture of your case’s worth.
For a free consultation where you can get more detailed information and guidance on your personal injury claim, contact London Harker Injury Law at 77CARCRASH or contact us online. Our law firm can assure you that your claim can get the best possible outcome.
