Your Trusted Personal Injury Lawyers in Waterford, CT
Car accident victims commonly suffer from a range of injuries, with the most typical being neck and back injuries. Soft tissue injuries, herniated discs, and spinal cord damage are also common. These injuries can have long-lasting repercussions on a victim’s life and ability to work.
Car accidents, for example, often cause soft tissue injuries when a collision severely jerks the head. The trauma can lead to chronic pain, reduced range of motion, and even cognitive issues because of a brain injury. Back injuries, particularly those involving the spinal cord, might lead to temporary or permanent paralysis, significantly diminishing your ability to perform daily tasks and earn a living. To get a fair settlement for your neck and back injuries, contact an experienced New London car accident lawyer who can help you get what you deserve.
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Several factors can have an impact on how much you might receive in a car accident settlement, including:
The settlement figure will also depend on the laws of the state where the accident occurred. In some states, there are caps on how much a victim can receive for damages from car accidents.
The sum of a car settlement is often negotiable. The injured person and the insurance company may try to reach a settlement agreement. If they cannot, the case may go to trial.
Damages in car accident settlements can include:
How much settlement in damages you deserve will depend on your case. If you sustained injuries in a car accident, speak to an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your case and legal options.
Lawyers calculate settlements for neck and back injuries by combining the economic damages—including medical expenses and lost earnings—with compensation for noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering.
Noneconomic damages are damages that are not easily quantifiable in monetary terms. They can include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Pain and suffering is the physical and emotional pain you experience because of an injury. Emotional distress is the mental anguish that a person faces. Loss of consortium is the loss of companionship and support that a spouse or partner encounters due to their loved one’s injuries. Loss of enjoyment of life is the loss of the ability to participate in activities that a person used to enjoy.
Noneconomic damages are often more challenging to prove than economic damages, such as medical bills and lost earnings. They can, however, be just as crucial to the victim of a personal injury. A car accident victim, for example, may experience severe pain and suffering, which can significantly change their quality of life. They may also experience emotional distress, such as anxiety or depression. These noneconomic damages can be challenging to quantify, but they can be just as notable as economic damages in compensating the victim for their injuries.
Each case is unique, and average settlements for neck and back injuries vary greatly. Severe cases involving spinal cord damage can even result in settlements worth millions. Factors that can increase a settlement include the clear fault of the other driver, invasive medical procedures, or permanent disability. Factors that can decrease it include shared liability or pre-existing medical conditions.
The time it takes to settle a personal injury claim varies depending on factors such as the complexity of the case, the severity of the injuries, the level of dispute regarding who is at fault, and the willingness of the insurance company to offer a fair settlement. It could take a few months or several years to settle and then another period before you see any compensation.
While taking the first settlement offer may be tempting, it is often not the best strategy. Your attorney can negotiate with the insurance company to reach a fairer settlement, and this process takes time.
Your lawyer may want to wait until you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), which means your injuries have stabilized enough for your doctor to estimate future treatment costs. Not waiting until that point can lead to a settlement that does not fully cover your future medical expenses.
When pursuing a car accident settlement, this is often the process:
Every case is unique, so this timeline can vary. You may have to wait to file a lawsuit until a certain amount of time passes or until you have reached MMI. It is vital to discuss the specifics of your case with your attorney and be patient to pursue the best possible outcome.
Navigating the world of car accident injuries and settlements can be overwhelming. This is where a personal injury lawyer comes in. These professionals can fight for victims to ensure they get the compensation they deserve. Here are some ways a personal injury lawyer can handle your car accident claim.
James M. Harrington, Car Accident Lawyer
They can:
Personal injury lawyers advocate for their clients to seek maximum compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. This can mean their client can get the medical care they need, pay their bills, and get their life back on track.
Seeking legal counsel through a personal injury lawyer can help you navigate this complex process, protecting your rights, and receiving the highest settlement. You do not have to go through this experience alone—professional help is available. Accessing it may make all the difference.
If a car accident causes a neck or back injury, contact an experienced New London personal injury lawyer, who can advocate for you to recover damages for your injuries.
We are committed to provide personalized attention to each and every client’s case – no matter how large or small– because that is each client’s only case. We are proud of our firm’s reputation of combining integrity and compassion with an unflinching dedication to getting the right result. We will do what we say.
