- August 5, 2022
Damages vary by accident. If you’re reading this, it’s probably because you’ve recently been involved in a motor vehicle accident. One of the first things our clients as us is how much their case is worth. Before we even have a chance to review their claim, they want to know how much money they’ll walk away with. That’s perfectly understandable. If we were in their shoes, that’s the first question we would ask too. However, before your car accident lawyer in Greenville, South Carolina can answer this question, they need to review all the information.
Here, we’ll discuss three things. First, we’ll explain why it’s important for your personal injury attorney in Greenville to fully review your case before they tell you what it’s worth. Second, we’ll highlight the various factors that can affect the value of your case. Finally, we’ll describe the different types of damages you can demand in your car accident case.
If after reading this article you still have questions, don’t worry. You can call our office at any time and schedule your own free consultation.
Personal Injury Attorneys in Greenville Should Not Put a Value on Your Case Too Early
It can be troubling when a personal injury attorney in Greenville promises to get a client a certain amount in damages without seeing a stitch of evidence. Not only is that unwise, but it can also be unfair to you. It isn’t fair to get someone’s expectations up before you have a good idea of how strong their case is. That’s why we offer our clients a free, initial consultation. This is where they get a chance to show us what information they have regarding their case. We can look at the police report and mechanic’s bills. We get a chance to see how much our client has racked up in medical bills. It also gives us an idea of what the defendant’s position is. All these things must be considered when evaluating a personal injury case.
Since it takes time to gather this information, we don’t like to give our clients a precise value of their case. We especially wouldn’t want to do this during the initial consultation. This doesn’t mean we can’t give you a ballpark figure. For example, if the only injury you suffered in a rear-end collision was whiplash, we can tell you that your case is only worth about $4,000 or $5,000. However, beyond that, it wouldn’t be fair to either you or your car accident lawyer in Greenville, South Carolina. Nobody should ever promise to get you a certain amount in a lawsuit. Since most of these cases end up settling, it is very rare that a plaintiff gets their full demand.
What Factors Can Impact the Value of Your Greenville Car Accident Lawsuit?
As mentioned above, there are a host of factors that can influence how much your case is worth. One obvious factor that can impact your case’s value is the seriousness of your injuries. If you only suffered minor injuries in your accident, you can’t expect to receive a ton of money. Injuries that heal on their own or heal rather quickly with medical treatment don’t warrant much in damages. Typically, you would be entitled to whatever your medical bills added up to. On top of that, you may be entitled to a small amount in pain and suffering.
For cases that involve more serious injuries, the damages will be much higher. For example, a plaintiff who suffered a broken neck or spinal cord injury will be entitled to a lot more than someone with a broken ankle. The same is true for people who suffer broken bones. Since these injuries often heal in a matter of months, they don’t often draw a whole lot in the way of damages.
Your age can also play a role in determining damages. Somebody who is retired won’t be entitled to as much money as someone in the prime of their careers. This has nothing to do with the value of a person’s life. It simply means that somebody who is retired can’t demand money for lost wages and lost future income. A younger person with an established career can.
The total amount you owe in medical bills will also come into play when determining the value of your case. The general rule is that your car accident lawyer in Greenville, South Carolina can demand three times the amount of your medical bills for pain and suffering. So, if you had $150,000 in medical bills, your attorney may demand $450,000 in pain and suffering. This doesn’t mean the defendant will pay this amount. It simply means this is what your personal injury attorney in Greenville will demand in your initial complaint.
What are the Different Types of Damages Your Personal Injury Attorney in Greenville Can Demand?
When our clients ask us how much their case is worth, they’re really asking how much they can demand in damages. When you file your personal injury lawsuit, you need to include a total demand. This is the amount you’re initially asking the judge to order the defendant to pay. Keep in mind – since your case is probably going to settle long before trial, the total demand is really a starting out point for settlement negotiations.
The various types of damages you may include in your demand include the following:
- Medical bills and future medical bills
- Property damage or fair market value for your vehicle
- Lost wages
- Lost future income
- Pain and suffering
Depending on the facts of your case, your car accident lawyer in Greenville, South Carolina will demand some or all these things. It depends on what they can prove given the evidence.
Contact a Seasoned Car Accident Lawyer in Greenville, South Carolina Right Away
If you or your family member have been hurt in a car accident, you may be entitled to damages. How much your case is worth is someone only a seasoned car accident lawyer in Greenville, South Carolina can determine. Once they have a chance to review the evidence you have, they can give you a better idea of what your case may be worth.
What you need to do is call and schedule your free, initial consultation. This gives you a chance to sit down with an attorney who can answer your questions. They can also give you an idea of what your case may be worth. Since this initial meeting is free, you have nothing to lose.
