When people begin the process of filing a personal injury claim after an accident, they’ll understandably be interested in knowing what their case could potentially be worth. The truth is that every case is so different that it’s nearly impossible to estimate with any reasonable degree of certainty exactly what you can expect to earn in compensation. However, if you know the factors that go into determining compensation level, you can at least come to a rough estimate of your own.
Here are a few of those factors.
- Injuries: Did you or anyone else in your vehicle sustain injuries in the accident? Did you need to seek medical attention? What kind of medical attention did you get—an emergency room visit, or a trip to your physician as soon as you were able to arrange one? Injuries and medical care can quickly raise the value of a settlement.
- Pre-existing injuries: If you have any pre-existing injuries or conditions that could potentially cause doubt as to the effects of the accident on your overall condition, this could harm your claim unless you are able to demonstrate that the accident worsened those conditions.
- Criminality: Was the person who caused the accident charged with any criminal offenses? Convictions of DUI or DWI could be a significant help in your case, for example.
- Witnesses: You have a much stronger chance of meeting your compensation goals if you have witnesses who can back up what you say.
- Photos: Much like witnesses, photo evidence of the scene can significantly improve your chances of a higher recovery.
For more information about the factors that go into determining the value of an accident claim, contact a trusted Bradenton, FL personal injury lawyer at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez & Walsh.