If a person was recently injured in an accident caused by the negligence of another party, it is reasonable for them to consider seeking compensation for their injuries. Sometimes, those who suffered injuries are not sure if they should pursue compensation because they fear that their case is not valuable enough to peruse. Determining the value of a case is not always easy and speaking with a personal injury attorney should help an individual decide if they should pursue compensation.
Who Determines Settlements?
Having the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney will help someone have a fair chance of receiving compensation for their injuries. To determine a settlement's amount, both parties will negotiate until they agree to terms. However, settlements are not always easily reached, especially if the defendant believes they should not pay anything. When a settlement is not reached, a personal injury attorney should be prepared to fight for their client in court. Whether a personal injury case reaches a conclusion during negotiations or in court, many factors influence the value of a case.
What Losses Need Compensation?
Monetary Cost of an Injury
The first step to assessing the value of a case is to determine the monetary loses a person suffered because of an injury. Losses such as medical bills and time lost at work are considered by an attorney when they are compiling damages. Additionally, a thorough lawyer should fight for the compensation of any future losses their client may suffer. For example, a person may need extensive medical care for the rest of their life that they should not be worried about. In other cases, injuries may be significant enough for a person to lose the ability to work. In this case, an attorney should fight for the lost earning capacity of their client.
Property Damage
Another significant loss for someone during an accident is property damage. If a home, car, or another type of valuable property was damaged during a person’s accident, they should be compensated for the loss of their property by the other party.
Emotional Pain & Suffering
Sometimes, pain is not always physical. Many people suffer emotionally and mentally after a serious accident. Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and other serious mental problems are difficult hurdles for a survivor of an accident to overcome. An experienced attorney will fight for monetary compensation of these problems just like they would fight for the compensation of physical injuries.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are a way to punish the defendant for their negligence. The purpose of punitive damages is to help a plaintiff feel as though the defendant truly paid for their negligence. Punitive damages are also used by judges to make an example of the defendant. If the punitive damages for a case are large enough, it may deter others from accomplishing the same negligent behavior as the defendant.
Every personal injury case is unique, and the damages vary for every person. While what happened can never be undone, seeking the compensation you deserve after your injury may help you focus on recovery as opposed to the many costs associated with your suffering. Contact a trusted attorney in your area today by using our directory.