As car accident attorneys, we get this question a lot. Unfortunately, there is no easy or quick answer. While we understand that car accident victims want to know whether their claim is worth pursuing, the fact of the matter is that each case is incredibly unique and specific, so what was true for one car accident case, won’t necessarily be true for another. Also, if the case goes to court, a jury will decide what the victim is entitled to – which may be a lot more or a lot less than you’d think.
Personal injury cases typically conclude in one of two ways. In some cases, they are settled, which is by far the most common conclusion. This happens when the plaintiff and the insurance company or defendant come to an agreement over compensation and the amount the case should be settled for. If the case isn’t settled, then it will go to court to be tried in front of a judge and jury. At the end of the trial, if the case is successful, the jury will decide the amount of compensation.
Too many times, car accident victims get caught up in the question of “what is fair compensation for their injuries?” But the real question they should be asking when trying to decide whether to file a claim or not, is “if the case doesn’t settle, how much compensation will a jury award?” Under the law, car accident victims are entitled to receive financial compensation for injuries and damages they suffered as a result of the negligence or reckless behavior of another party. Compensation includes things like current and future lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of the ability to perform daily activities, loss of enjoyment of life, and anxiety.
So, as you can see, trying to determine how much a case is worth at a quick glance is nearly impossible. Many factors must be examined and analyzed. One factor is the extent of the injury, or how badly you were injured. Under the law, a case involving someone who suffered a major head injury in a car accident and can no longer work is much different than someone who suffered a bruised knee. The same goes for someone who suffered a torn rotator cuff and can no longer lift their arms to care for their small children versus someone who suffers a minor headache as the result of an injury.
Some personal injury attorneys will try to tell car accident victims right off the bat what their case is worth. We know this because we’ve heard of such situations. Here at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. we don’t believe this is the right approach to take for our clients. We can’t honestly and accurately tell you what your case is worth until medical treatment is concluded and we’ve had the chance to assess and evaluate all aspects of your situation. Any attempt to tell you what your case is worth before this is simply guesswork.
Once we’ve had time to review your case, we’ll be able to determine the strengths and weaknesses of it. We’ll also be able to tell you what evidence needs to be compiled and what needs to be done in order to determine an accurate worth. If you’d like to schedule a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your case, please contact Breyer Law Offices, P.C.