If you have sustained injuries because of another driver’s negligence, you might have to deal with significant pain, a long recovery, and financial hardships. Your medical treatment can be quite costly and your absences from work can squeeze the finances of your family and create stress.
Thankfully, the law entitles you to compensation from the party who caused the crash and your injuries. When you seek damages, you want to get the full amount of compensation you deserve. But how can you make the most out of your claim? A Caruso Law Offices, P.C. car accident attorney will calculate your losses accurately and prove the effect of the crash on your life. This can help make sure you will recover enough damages to cover all of your losses and build a new life.
How to Calculate Your Damages
It is important to calculate all of your damages to pursue maximum compensation from the at-fault party. Your attorney will present the calculated amount to the insurer during settlement negotiations and use it in your complaint should your case goes to trial.
Accurately calculating your damages involves determining both your economic and non-economic damages. Your economic damages can include things such as reimbursements for your medical expenses, car damage, and lost wages. Although these damages have a dollar value may seem easy to calculate, they can get complicated. For instance, if you are self-employed, it can be hard to prove the amount of compensation to recover for lost wages.
Your attorney can assist help you calculate your non-economic damages such as pain and suffering and disfigurement. These damages do not have a specific dollar value. To calculate these damages, your attorney will use precedents set by the courts in the states that awarded other accident victims amounts for the same injuries.
When to Settle Your Claim
A big part of car accident cases will lead to settlement offers from insurers. But when should you accept an offer from an insurer? Your attorney will advise you against accepting an insurance company’s initial settlement offer without consulting them. The company will take advantage of your weakness and financial situation. You and your attorney must work together to decide on a settlement amount you’re comfortable with. As your attorney has dealt with insurers all the time, they can advise you when to accept a settlement offer. Also, they can always take your case to court if the company refuses to pay your settlement demand.
