If you have been seriously hurt in an accident as a result of another’s negligence, you are most likely entitled to compensation for your subsequent damages and losses. You will need to retain the services of a seasoned personal injury law firm that can prove in a court of law that you are owed remuneration for your medical bills, hospital bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and all other related losses, and ultimately, ensure that you receive a full and fair settlement. But you are probably eager to know how much can you expect to get paid in a personal injury settlement? Well the answer is much more complex, and varies from case to case.
Continue reading to learn which factors and formulas are used by the court and jury to determine what a fair settlement for a personal injury lawsuit would be, as well as, what you can expect to pay your personal injury lawyer once you are awarded compensation.
Damages and Losses After a Personal Injury
Under tort law, when a person is a victim of a civil wrong-doing, a court or jury may award damages to compensate them for their injuries and losses. Damages vary, but commonly include lost wages, medical expenses, hospital bills, pain and suffering, mental anguish, prolonged rehabilitation, loss of consortium, and various other economic and non-economic losses.
Economic damages are for tangible financial losses, like bills and lost wages, while non-economic damages might include pain and suffering, mental anguish or illness (i.e. depression, anxiety, etc.), loss of companionship (i.e., wrongful death, brain damage to loved one, paralysis of loved one that changes or prohibits the relationship, etc.), long-term medical care or medication dependencies, diminished quality of life, permanent disabilities, loss of ability to work, and more.
Assessing the amount of damages is often a difficult and complex process since many variables influence the final determination. A court or jury must consider the losses or injuries of a victim’s person, property, and overall quality of life. Personal injury cases generally address three primary issues that ultimately determine what the fair and full payment would be for a victim’s injuries, which are as follows:
❶ LIABILITY – Establishing the degree of negligence of another person or entity;
❷ DAMAGES – The amount of compensation that fairly acknowledges compensates for and covers a person’s injuries;
❸ SOURCE OF COLLECTIONS – Insurance or additional assets to cover the award of damages;
Paying for a Lawyer
If you have asked yourself if you can afford an accident lawyer, the answer is, “yes!” Anyone can afford a personal injury attorney if they have a valid claim and case. They can even have their claim examined by a licensed attorney for free, to determine if they have a valid claim. You see, most personal injury law firms do not collect attorney fees unless they recover a settlement for you. This is why they offer free initial consultations. The consultation gives them an opportunity to discuss a client’s case without obligating them or you to pay anything out of pocket.
Following the consultation, a personal injury lawyer will evaluate the client’s claim to determine if the case is strong enough to pursue. If they believe their client is entitled to compensation, they will take on their case and work toward obtaining a full and fair settlement for their damages. The more a lawyer can recover for you, the more they get paid, which motivates them to work even harder on clients’ cases. A personal injury attorney makes it easy for victims to pursue an accident claim or lawsuit, without risking thousands of dollars of their own money and the chance they may lose their case.
How to Get Started on Your Claim Today
Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to make a personal injury claim anywhere in Indiana. Our firm is located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seasoned attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, have a focus on accident law and retain extensive trial and litigation experience. Not only do we offer free initial consultations, we never collect lawyer fees unless we recover a settlement for you. Get started by scheduling your consultation, today.
