What Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?

One of the first questions clients ask us when they contact us at the Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown is how much we think their personal injury case is worth. While it is understandable to want to know how much money they could receive, the answer is not simple. Many factors will contribute to the compensation we will ask for on behalf of each of our personal injury clients. Whether you were injured by a negligent driver or the victim of a catastrophic injury accident, the compensation, or damages pursued by our attorneys, including our skilled Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyers, will be based on some of the following factors.

Different Types of Damages

When considering what our clients should receive for their injuries, our legal team considers the different types of damages that should be included. All personal injury claims will contain compensatory damages, which are the actual expenses incurred due to the injury, from medical bills to property damage. Some clients may receive punitive damages from their claims. When there is a monetary award that is meant to be paid as a punishment and deterrent by the defendant, this is called punitive damages. The majority of personal injury cases only have compensatory damages, with only rare, extreme cases including punitive damages.

Compensatory Damages

Calculating the cost of an injury to a victim or their family must take into consideration multiple factors. It is not just what was paid out in medical bills or replacement values of property that was lost, it is how much the injury cost in losses, both monetarily and in quality of life. Some of the elements that will be considered when adding up the “cost” of an injury can include:

• Medical costs. Hospital bills, treatments, medications, transportation, medical devices, handicap vehicle/home updates, and any other medical expenses.
• Lost wages. Time off from work due to the injury can be calculated to determine lost wages. This can be for past losses and may be calculated for future losses if the victim cannot return to work.
• Property loss. If a vehicle or other property was damaged or destroyed, repair or replacement values will be included in the personal injury claim.
• Pain and suffering. The pain suffered by a victim or by loved ones who lost someone to wrongful death must be calculated. This is a difficult number to achieve as no amount of money can erase the pain of injury or death that could have been avoided.
• Emotional damage. Emotional trauma is common from personal injuries, which can be a separate type of compensation that is included with personal injury claims. This can include loss of enjoyment, both for the victim and those who lost a loved one to a wrongful death.

Our legal team at the Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown has extensive experience in determining the value of our client’s claims and seeking the highest compensation possible for each case. Beyond adding up the sum of the proceeding damages, we also need to consider other factors that can have an impact on the amount of money we can obtain for each client.

Factors That Can Add or Detract From Your Personal Injury Claim

There is not a set amount of money paid for a specific injury as every case is different. We must consider many factors that can make one case worth more or less than a similar case. Some of these factors include:

• Severity of injury and whether there will be a permanent or lasting disability
• How much insurance coverage or assets the defendant has to cover the claim
• Whether the plaintiff seems credible and likable (especially in jury cases)
• If the plaintiff was partially at-fault
• If the plaintiff did not try to reduce the costs of the injury
• How the injury will impact the victim’s career and future

All these factors contribute to whether one person may receive a larger award or settlement. It is a very complex process, which can take time to determine when our legal team investigates your case. This is why personal injury claims can take several months to a few years to reach an agreement with the defendant and their legal team.

Determining the worth of a personal injury case, particularly involving a bicycle accident, depends on various factors. These include the extent of injuries sustained, medical expenses incurred, lost wages due to inability to work, pain and suffering experienced, and any long-term impacts on the individual’s quality of life. Additionally, liability, evidence gathered from the accident scene, and insurance coverage play crucial roles in assessing the case’s value. Seeking legal counsel from experienced personal injury attorneys can provide insight into accurately evaluating and pursuing rightful compensation for bicycle accident victims.

If you have been injured by a negligent party, it is worth your time to contact us at the Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown. We can evaluate your case and determine whether we would recommend pursuing compensation. For a free personal injury consultation in Atlanta, GA, or Montgomery, AL, call our office to speak to our legal team.