How Much is Your
Personal Injury Claim Worth?

It can be tough to set a dollar amount on injuries you suffer in an accident. There are so many things to consider: doctor's bills, time lost from work, medical costs for ongoing injuries, pain and suffering and so on. Insurance companies take all of them into account when deciding how much to offer-and ultimately pay out-for a personal injury claim. Determining how much certain injuries are worth is a critical aspect of any injury claim.

A personal injury attorney can be more objective about your case than you can, and will not make a rash decision. Where you may be tempted, for instance, to go for a quick payout, your attorney may counsel you that it is in your best interests to wait for a more appropriate offer. Lawyers are used to working with insurance companies, and will not be confused by their tactics or feel pressured to settle for an unsatisfactory amount. Personal injury attorneys work hard to reach the best settlements for their clients, as early in the litigation process as possible. If a trial becomes necessary, a personal injury lawyer can zealously represent you in court and work toward achieving the best possible jury verdict in your favor. Here are general guidelines for setting an amount for a personal injury case:

• Medical care and related expenses.
• Income lost because of the accident, because of time spent unable to work or undergoing treatment for injuries.
• Permanent physical disability or disfigurement.
• Loss of family, social and educational experiences, including missed school or training, vacation or recreation, or a special event.
• Emotional damages, such as stress, embarrassment, depression or strains on family relationships for example, the inability to take care of children, anxiety over the effects of an accident on an unborn child, or interference with sexual relations.
• Damaged property.

Also, the following guidelines usually apply:

• The more painful the injury, the higher the potential damages you may recover.
• The more invasive and long lasting the medical treatment, the higher potential damages you may recover.
• The more obvious the medical evidence of the injury, the higher potential damages you may recover.
• The longer the recovery period, the higher potential damages you may recover.
• The more serious and visible any permanent effect of the injury, the higher potential damages you may recover.

Copyright © 2006 Personal Injury Attorney Information.