How to Tell if My Car Accident Case is Worth Anything
It’s easy to get intimidated by the idea of filing a lawsuit against someone, especially after such a traumatizing event like a car accident. In this intimidation, you might be tempted to talk yourself out of filing a claim entirely. Many people do this when they are unsure of what their car accident case is worth, if anything at all. The bottom line is that if you incurred damages in the auto collision and you were not at fault, you are entitled to compensation. To get an idea of just how much your car accident may be worth, consult the details below.
How Much is Your Car Accident Worth?
The key to determining whether you are eligible to receive compensation after a crash is to look at the collision details. First, verify your innocence in the accident. Any driver who is found to be partially or fully liable for the incident may either have their compensation eligibility compromised or will be disqualified for compensatory funds entirely.
As a victim who had no fault in the crash whatsoever, it is fully within your rights to pursue legal action against the negligent driver for compensation. However, as a defendant, this right does not apply, and you are expected to cover all financial losses.
Secondly, review the damages you experienced in the car accident. Organize the damages into the categories listed below to begin estimating their value within the context of your legal case.
- Bodily or personal injury
- Pain and suffering (this is included in personal injury)
- Lost income, in the form of missed work hours or reduced capacity to earn
- Lowered quality of life
- Property damage
- Loss of consortium
When reviewing these categories, be as objective as possible. Do not attempt to devalue or belittle any injuries you may have experienced, as many people do when hesitating to undergo the legal process. For example, some of the most common injuries that people experience in car accidents include fractures, lacerations, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
Don’t underestimate your case’s value simply because your injury may seem less severe than you may have expected. All these damages have the potential to cause financial losses, and you should not be held responsible for any of them. Once you have talked through these categories with your car accident lawyer, you can begin estimating the potential value of your case.
Talk the Case Over with Your Lawyer
Your lawyer will assure you of your car accident case’s estimated value, even if you are still unsure. Although they cannot guarantee that you will receive the total amount of money you lost because of the crash, they will significantly boost your chances of restoring your financial security with compensatory funds.
After they help you estimate the amount you may be owed, they will thoroughly investigate your case to ensure that all necessary evidence is presented irrefutably, leaving no opportunity for the defendant or court to deny you this money. To boost your chances of success in filing a car accident claim, contact an experienced lawyer today.