Maison Law represents car accident victims in California. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, the personal injury attorneys at Maison Law can get you the compensation you need. Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
While some law firms may give you average settlement amounts, every settlement is unique to each case. In fact, averages can be misleading. There are many cases where plaintiffs walk away with nothing. So, if you were to take an average of every personal injury settlement, that number would be skewed because it will most likely take into account every $0 settlement.
For that reason, it is important to remember that car accident cases vary widely, ranging from a few hundred dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars. There truly is no average car accident settlement. However, there are certain factors that will give you some idea of what your settlement should be worth.
Settlements for Car Accidents with Injuries
What your settlement may be worth will be reflected in your medical treatment costs, rehabilitation expenses, and the impact your injury will have on your future earning capacity. For example, if you suffered permanent disability or disfigurement, your potential settlement will most likely include compensation for long-term care and loss of quality of life. This type of settlement will no doubt be worth more than a person who suffered only a broken arm in a car accident. While a broken arm is painful, it usually does not require surgery and is not considered a permanent disability.
One thing that is true with all personal injury lawsuits is the more severe your injuries, the higher your settlement will be. The severity of your injuries not only impacts your medical costs, but it also determines the value of your pain and suffering.
Calculating Pain and Suffering for a Car Accident in California
Pain and suffering in a personal injury lawsuit is considered a non-economic damage. This means there is no specific dollar amount assigned to it because it is not a tangible thing such as physical therapy, surgery, or medication. Physical items such as these have fixed costs and are considered economic damages.
For pain and suffering, there is no established standard for what a jury or judge can use to calculate a fair amount. It is up to the plaintiff to present evidence of physical pain and emotional trauma to assist them in making their decision. Pain and suffering evidence is considered the following:
- Physical pain: typically shown through medical records, this highlights discomfort and agony caused by the injury.
- Mental Anguish: this includes emotional distress, fear, anxiety, anger, and depression, which have stemmed from your injury. This is usually represented in witness statements and therapist reports.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: this is the enjoyment of life you’ve been deprived of because of your injury. This could be a surfer who can no longer surf. Evidence of this can be displayed with past pictures and videos, as well as witness testimony.
- Impact on relationships: injuries affect your ability to maintain relationships, which can put unnecessary stress on a person’s life. This evidence can usually be displayed in a person’s finances if it was a business relationship. It can also be represented with photos and witness testimony.
The Advantage of Legal Representation for a Car Accident
It is a proven fact that personal injury victims were much more likely to receive a fair payout than those who dealt directly with the insurance company without representation. Also, victims with representation have been found to receive twice as much in compensation as those who proceeded unrepresented, even after attorney’s fees.
Legal representation offer several advantages if you’ve been injured in a car accident. By partnering with an attorney after an accident, they can:
- Identify All Liable Parties: car accidents typically involve multiple cars. An accident attorney will investigate all responsible parties and file a personal injury lawsuit against them, maximizing your chance at full, financial recovery.
- Manage your claim with the insurance companies: insurance companies can and will attempt to get injured victims to agree to a “lowball” settlement, or get you to admit fault. Having your attorney file a lawsuit against the insurance company will let them know you’re aware of your rights and are prepared to exercise them to achieve fair compensation.
- Follow Proper Legal Procedures: An experienced vehicle accident attorney understands the complexities of suing liable parties and the specific legal rules that must be followed. Having your lawsuit properly filed and the details of your situation perfectly outlined for the insurance adjuster will let the defense know you are aware of your rights and are prepared to exercise them.
- Prepare for Litigation: An attorney will expedite the litigation process if no acceptable offer is made. They will prepare you for trial, handle all legal proceedings, and represent you in court.
- Allow you to focus on Recovery: Hiring a well-practiced attorney will allow you to recover, while they deal with the legal side of your case for you. Not only will this give you a better chance at compensation, but it will alleviate your stress and give you peace of mind while dealing with a very traumatic time in your life.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in California
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries due to a car accident in California, contact one of our experienced personal injury attorneys at Maison Law. We’ll help you recover compensation for the damages you have suffered, even if you were found partially at fault for the accident. Contact Maison Law today to get the legal help you need. Our consultation is 100% free and you don’t pay a cent until we’ve won your case.
