How Much Is a Car Accident Claim Worth?
If you have been injured or incurred property damage as a result of a car accident, you probably wonder how much compensation you are entitled to. Understanding how much compensation to expect can help you navigate an uncertain future. After all, you shouldn’t suffer in silence because of someone else’s negligence
In addition to considering various websites and resources that can provide means of calculating compensation after a car accident, it is also advisable to seek the advice and guidance of a car accident lawyer. They can help you understand the factors that determine the amount of damages awarded in a claim and work to ensure that you receive fair compensation.
Influential Factors
During your initial consultation with a car accident lawyer, they will review your evidence and identify the primary factors relevant to your claim. This is why it is crucial to keep thorough documentation of all evidence and to always be honest with your lawyer.
Property Damage
Insurance companies and the court system treat property damage and injuries differently. This means that you can claim compensation for property damage and personal injury.
Get an Estimate for Your Vehicle
If the accident damaged your vehicle, you will likely need to take it to a repair shop for an estimate. The insurance company will recommend the repair shop. While you are not required to use the insurance company’s preferred shop for the repairs, you must use it for the estimate.
Once the repair shop has completed its estimate, it will share the results with the insurance company.
Include Personal Property
When evaluating damages, you should include any personal property in the vehicle. Personal property could include cell phones, laptops, or other electronics damaged in the accident. Additionally, if you have any other personal property that was damaged or destroyed, make sure to include it in your claim.
Injuries and Medical Treatment
Medical bills are often one of the most expensive aspects of a car accident. That is why you should keep a detailed record of your injuries and what you have done to alleviate them. Your car accident lawyer will evaluate your medical bills and use them during negotiations to demonstrate the severity of your accident.
Common Injuries
Here are some common injuries that result from car accidents:
- Fractures
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Whiplash
- Herniated discs
- Severe spinal injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Nerve damage
- Paralysis
Keep a record of all medical expenses you pay after the accident. Additionally, make sure your lawyer has access to them. Include all your co-pays since they can factor into compensation.
Medical Expenses
In addition to the injuries themselves, you may include expenses in your claim from:
- Ambulance ride
- Emergency room bills
- Emergency medical care
- Surgeries and other procedures
- Hospitalization and related expenses
- Follow-up treatment
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Medication
- At-home medical equipment prescribed as a result of the accident
If you sustained serious injuries that have forced you to change your way of life, you might have to make permanent or temporary modifications to your home.
For example, if you have a steep driveway and your injuries have made getting to your front door a chore, you may need to install a ramp. Make sure to include these expenses in your car accident claim. Talk to your car accident lawyer for more information.
Future Medical Needs
Additionally, it is a good idea to anticipate future medical needs and include a projection in your claim. Consult your healthcare provider to get a reasonable idea of what future expenses might look like.
Lost Income
If the accident caused you to miss work, you can likely include your lost income as part of your claim. This includes work missed due to recovery and work missed due to inhibitions resulting from the accident.
Consult with your lawyer regarding the time you have missed at work. Similar to evaluating current and future medical expenses, you will want to include the time you have already missed alongside a projection of the time you will miss.
Inability to Work
You may be able to include lost earnings in your claim if the car accident has left you unable to work or forced you to change industries. Again, consult with your lawyer, as this can differ depending on the specifics of your situation.
Other Non-Economic Losses
In addition to physical injuries, lost wages, and property damages, you could receive compensation based on non-economic losses.
When calculating non-economic losses, you need a lawyer who can calculate:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
Consult your lawyer if you have questions regarding how to calculate non-economic losses. In addition to decades of experience, they will have access to dozens of resources that will enable them to make a sound projection.
Remember, non-economic losses can be widely subjective, so it is important to be able to prove how they have impacted your quality of life. This is where journaling comes in handy. By providing a detailed record of your thoughts, your lawyer will have a roadmap of your mental state following the accident and will be able to use it in negotiations and litigation to bolster your claim.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering might seem widely subjective at first, but there’s a fairly simple way to calculate the costs.
Evaluate the total costs incurred to date and multiply them by a number that will give you a sufficient annual estimate. This is something your lawyer can assist with. While this number may not end up being the final total, it will provide a decent estimate.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident, contact a personal injury lawyer today. A qualified car accident lawyer will be able to provide a reasonable estimate regarding how much compensation you can obtain after your car accident.
Don’t waste another day wondering what you can do. Take the first steps toward making yourself whole today.
