Personal Injury Lawyer

When someone is involved in an accident that leaves them injured, it is natural to start looking for compensation from the responsible party. One of the first questions most people have is, “What is my case worth?” This short and simple guide should help you start to understand what your options are and what other questions you should ask.

What Is a Case Worth?

Asking what your case is worth is not really the right way to look at things. It is not that the strength of your case determines its value. In reality, it is the other way around. The amount of damages you have suffered is what determines how much you are owed compensation. Specifically, the law guarantees everyone the right to become whole again. If your injury cost you $500, your case is worth $500. If your injury cost you $500,000, then your case is worth $500,000. Every kind of loss is valid for compensation as well.

• Medical bills
• Damage to property
• Injury-related purchases, including medicine, canes, or other equipment
• Lost wages due to inability to work
• Future lost wages
• Permanent disabilities

The Kinds of Damages

It is easy to determine how much money you are out due to your injury when it comes to tangible things like medical bills or two week’s wages. You know the exact dollar value of these things. It is absolutely possible to receive compensation for intangible things as well. For instance, you can receive money as compensation for the pain you experienced due to the injury. These types of damages are called general compensatory damages. The judge will be the one to determine the exact value of intangible damages. If the at-fault party was acting especially irresponsibly or maliciously, you possibly may receive punitive damages as well, which are intended only to punish the defendant.

Settling

Most court cases end with a settlement, rather than the court continuing to its conclusion. This means that you may be offered an amount to end the lawsuit immediately. The offer is usually slightly lower, since both parties will be saving time and legal fees. It is always up to you whether you want to accept the offer or not, but you should always consult with your lawyer before agreeing. Your legal representation will be able to tell you whether or not the offer is fair. Because having a lawyer is so valuable, hiring someone to represent you should always be your number one priority.

Source: Personal Injury Lawyer Miami, FL, Needle & Ellenberg, P.A.