Personal Injury Lawyer
Navigating the particulars of a personal injury case can be a daunting task. There are many different aspects to consider and during this time, your medical bills may be piling up as you try to calculate the value of your claim. While hiring an attorney can help you expedite the process, there are a few factors you might consider as you work to understand what your injuries are worth.
- Medical Costs
One of the main factors that can determine the value of your personal injury case is the cost of medical treatment. This amount usually covers a wide scope of different costs including emergency room care, medications and aftercare, such as physical therapy. Track your costs carefully and keep all documentation in one place so you can access it easily and make copies for your attorney.
- Property Damage or Loss
If you were injured in a car accident and your vehicle is declared a total loss by your insurance company, you may be able to add its value to your claim. Other valuables damaged in the crash, such as electronics and personal items, may qualify as well. Make a list of what you lost and present it to your attorney. It may also be a good idea to provide receipts to prove what these items were worth and to keep in mind the court may lower that amount due to depreciation.
- The Degree of Negligence
Some personal injury cases involve a high degree of negligence on the part of the individual or company involved, which can increase the value of your case. For example, if someone stole a car, went joyriding, and struck you at a crosswalk this might be considered especially reckless behavior by the courts and give you the opportunity to ask for additional punitive damages.
- Loss of Income
If your injuries caused you to miss many days of work or prevent you from returning to your job in the future, you may be able to add a loss of income, both past and future, to the value of your claim. You may need a physician’s report to prove your disability, and your attorney can advise you about how to calculate the total amount of income lost since the day of the accident.
Calculating the value of a personal injury case can be difficult, especially if you are still dealing with the pain and trauma of the incident.