When calculating a settlement after an auto accident, it’s important to consider various elements that impact the value of a claim.
What damages can I collect from a car accident?
If you’ve been in a car accident, you may be able to recover money for the damages to your vehicle and any injuries that you sustained. Because every car accident is different, the amount of money you’ll be able to recover varies depending on your accident. There are many different types of damages that you can recover. However, these vary depending on the severity of your injuries and the amount of damage to your car.
Economic Damages
Economic damages refer to the monetary damages you can recover from your accident. These can be calculated by reviewing records and documents. This includes things like medical bills, car damages, property damages, and loss of wages. They also include other monetary expenses you may have lost due to the accident. If you have a serious injury, like a back, spine, or brain injury that requires more medical attention, you’ll receive more compensation because your bills are higher. These are usually calculated using fixed amounts pulled directly off of bills and records.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages can be harder to calculate, as this accounts for things like pain and suffering or any emotional trauma that may have resulted because of the accident. For example, how much would it cost to have PTSD or anxiety for the rest of your life? This is often hard to calculate, especially on your own, because this number can change. These numbers are subjective because there isn’t a monetary value attached to someone’s pain.
What if I’m at-fault?
While some states will take away a portion of your claim because you were at fault, Minnesota is a no-fault state. No-fault means that you can recover economic and non-economic damages even if you were the faulty party in a car accident. Making a claim against the other driver for your damages is still possible if you have more than $4,000 in medical expenses or severe injuries that resulted in permanent scarring, disfigurement, or disability. While these claims are possible, they’re generally more complex than a regular lawsuit.
What will affect my claim’s value?
There are many different factors that will affect your claims value, especially when it comes to your non-economic damages. Because these damages don’t have a price tag associated with them, they’re up for a lot of debate.
Injuries
Unfortunately, injuries that “look” more serious are often given more of a weight. Because juries can see the injury, usually a more serious looking injury will earn more money. Even if the case never makes it to court, this will be a point of debate. If it does make it to court, both sides will need to consider how the jury will react to the injury. If the injury required complicated or multiple procedures, left you with a disability or scarring, or took longer than normal to improve, you may be able to receive a higher settlement.
These costs will be calculated based on how much the injury affected your life. They will look at the cost of your medical bills and the pain and suffering the accident has caused on your life. The more of an effect it’s had, the higher amount you’ll receive.
Salary and Recovery Time
Your salary plays a role in how much your settlement will be. This is because you can receive money for your loss of wages. If you’re off work for two months, the amount you lose during those two months will be different depending on your usual income. Someone who makes more money may receive a higher settlement because they lost more money while recovering.
Other Driver’s Behaviors and What You Said After the Accident
When the other driver is under the influence of alcohol, the settlement tends to be higher. If the driver has a history of DUIs or has been in multiple accidents, it will likely affect the amount that they will be able to recover for their own damages.
Unfortunately, anything that you or the other driver says after the accident can be used against you in court. If you say that you’re okay after an accident takes place, this may affect the amount you receive.
Should I try to calculate my own settlement?
You may feel like you could save on lawyer fees if you try to calculate your own settlement. While there are many calculators out there, it is generally a smart decision to hire a lawyer for this process. Doing it on your own is possible, but arguing back and forth with insurance companies can be difficult. However, an experienced attorney can get you the settlement that you deserve.
What information is needed to estimate my settlement?
To receive a proper settlement, you’ll need to have all your documentation in order. You’ll want to have copies of your medical bills, car bills, and any other bills that show how much you’ve had to pay out of pocket for the damages after your car accident. If you haven’t paid out of pocket, you can look up estimations for how much your car repair may cost. This includes looking at the prices of the parts that need replacing. Many mechanics also offer estimation services.
When it comes to non-economic damages you’ll want to be prepared to make your case for why you deserve a certain amount of money for pain and suffering costs. Of course, there’s no mechanic that can estimate how much you deserve for the loss of a limb or temporary disability. This is when it comes in handy to have an attorney at your side. As they’ve dealt with many cases like yours, they’ll be able to help you determine the amount of money to fight for. Once they’ve collected all the necessary information about your case, they’ll be able to determine its value.
Should I hire a lawyer to determine how much my claim is worth?
Getting the compensation you deserve after your car accident can be a difficult battle. However, it’ll be much easier with an experienced car accident attorney by your side. The lawyers at Sand Law are standing by to take on your case. For more information, and a free case evaluation, you can contact us online or at 651-291-7263.