How Do I Find Out What My Personal Injury Case Is Worth

One of the first questions prospective clients ask is, “How much is my personal injury case worth?” Just as every individual and every accident is different, so is every answer to that question going to be different. There are many variables that are taken into consideration when figuring out how to value a personal injury claim. It’s not something that you can use those online calculators to get an accurate answer for, however here are some of the factors that go into evaluating a personal injury claim.

All of these recovery estimates are based on the assumption that you can prove that the injuries you suffered were caused by someone else’s negligent actions. You can receive damages for your losses due to your injuries and the physical damage to your property in the case of a car or truck accident. You may be able to recover damages to cover the cost of some of the following items:

Medical bills Lost income (current and future) Pain and suffering Emotional distress

Loss of enjoyment of life Permanent disability Property that was destroyed Property that could be repaired

Of course this is not an exhaustive list. Talking with a personal injury attorney is the best way to get an accurate estimate of the approximate value of your claim.

What if more than one person caused the accident?

If you share some level of fault in the accident, meaning you played a role in causing it, this can have an impact on the amount of compensation you might be able to recover. California is a pure comparative negligence state. This means that the judge or the jury would ascribe a percentage of fault to each of the people who caused the accident or injury. Each party will then collect damages equal to the percentage of fault that has been assigned to them.

When are punitive damages available?

Punitive damages are meant to act as punishment for conduct that is considered especially egregious or malicious. In California, a plaintiff would need to prove that the defendant was guilty of oppression, fraud or malice. For example, if the defendant had been intoxicated when they purposely plowed their car into a crowd of people at an open-air market, the injured parties might seek punitive damages for their injuries.

These are just a few of the factors that go into evaluating a claim. The best way to find out what your personal injury case is worth is to The best way to find out what your personal injury case is worth is to consult with a lawyer who will explain your rights and give you an idea of what to expect. Patterson Lawis a small firm that offers personalized attention, and we have the experience to get the compensation you deserve. Contact us online or call us today at 888-479-4589 for a free initial consultation.