One of the first things our clients ask us when they come in for their initial consultation is how much their case is worth. They want to know how much money they can get from the other driver in car accident damages right off the bat. Any car accident lawyer in Riverdale, Georgia understands why you ask this question.
You have medical bills, and you have no idea how you’re supposed to pay them. You had to deplete your savings to pay to get your car fixed. It makes sense that you want to know how much your case is worth and what kind of car accident damages you’re entitled to. And, as much as we would love to answer this question, it wouldn’t be fair to do so before we have a chance to thoroughly review your case.
Why Isn’t It a Good Idea to Determine Car Accident Damages Too Early?
The thing about determining the value of a case is that it can’t be done in a vacuum. Sure, your injury attorney in Riverdale, Georgia could easily tell you that your case is worth $100,000 in car accident damages.
The problem is that this wouldn’t be accurate. There’s no way to know how much your case is worth simply by looking at the paperwork. Your attorney needs to understand how serious your injuries were. They need to talk to your doctor to find out if you’re going to need future medical care. These things take time.
Here, we’ll discuss the factors that can impact the value of your car accident case. We’ll also explain the various types of car accident damages you can demand in your case. If you still have questions about your case after reading this brief article, give us a call. We can schedule your free consultation and have you come in to meet with one of our skilled car accident lawyers in Riverdale, Georgia.
Every Car Accident Case is Different
There is no formula for determining the value of a car accident case. Since each case is unique, they must each be reviewed thoroughly before any final judgments are made. When our car accident lawyers in Riverdale, Georgia evaluate a case to determine car accident damages, they look at several factors. These include:
How Serious Were Your Injuries?
The more serious your injuries, the greater your car accident damages. Minor injuries don’t often require surgery or long-term physical therapy. Nor do they keep you out of work for months at a time. Typically, these cases involve a few thousand dollars in medical bills and property damage.
Was Your Vehicle Damaged or Destroyed?
If your vehicle was simply damaged, your own insurance policy will probably cover the damage. All you’ll have to pay is your deductible. If, however, your car or SUV is destroyed, the defendant should be liable for the fair market value of your vehicle. In order to claim these car accident damages, you’ll need documentation that your car has, indeed, been deemed totaled.
How Much Time Did You Miss From Work?
One of the types of car accident damages your injury attorney in Riverdale, Georgia will demand is lost wages. If you didn’t miss more than a few days from work, you won’t be entitled to lost wages. Any time that could’ve been covered by sick or personal time isn’t included in your car accident damages. However, if you missed months from your job, you can certainly demand compensation for any lost wages you experienced.
Are You Stil Able to Do Your Job?
If your injuries were very serious, you may not be able to do the same kind of work you did before the accident. If this is the case, you may end up on disability. You can demand the difference between what you would’ve earned compared to what you’ll actually earn. Whatever this amount is per year, you’ll multiply this number by the years you have left until retirement.
Did You Suffer a Lot?
In many car accident cases, the lion’s share of your car accident damages come from pain and suffering. These damages are meant to compensate you for any mental and physical anguish you experienced as a result of the accident. They are typically determined to be three times whatever your medical bills were.
Once your car accident lawyer in Riverdale, Georgia has had a chance to fully evaluate your case, they will have a better idea of what it’s worth. Just keep in mind – since your case will probably settle, you will likely recover much less than your full demand.
There’s a Good Chance Your Car Accident Case Will Settle
Even if your attorneys determine that your case is worth a certain amount, you probably won’t walk away with this amount. Most personal injury cases settle. This is because a settlement is in the best interests of all parties. Nobody wants to go to trial. They’re expensive and time-consuming. It could be years before your case goes before a judge. This means you won’t see a dime of your money while your trial is pending.
The other thing about a trial is that you could lose. If you lose in court, you won’t receive a dime. And, even if you win, you’ll have to reimburse your attorney any monies they put out in preparation for trial. Rather than waste this money, you could use it to pay off some of your out-of-pocket expenses.
Reach Out to a Seasoned Injury Attorney in Riverdale, Georgia Today
If you’ve recently been injured in a car crash, don’t waste any time and call our office. You should want to meet with an experienced injury attorney in Riverdale, Georgia sooner rather than later. The sooner we get a chance to review your case, the sooner we can get started preparing your car accident damages case. Ideally, you’ll retain our services before the insurance company has a chance to deny your claim. Once they see that you’ve hired a lawyer, they’ll take your case more seriously. They’ll also think twice about trying to take advantage of you.
Call our office today and ask to schedule your free, initial consultation. Take the time to sit down with someone who not only knows the law but who has also handled cases like yours in the past. If the other driver caused your accident, they should be held responsible. The best way to make sure this happens is to have a seasoned car accident lawyer in Riverdale, Georgia by your side.
