A car accident can leave you with serious injuries and expenses you hadn’t planned for. Additionally, you will have to deal with insurance companies and perhaps a personal injury lawsuit. Taking time off from work to recover from your injuries is already stressful enough so dealing with a lawsuit might not sound as appealing considering the legal battle might take several months if not years.
The good news is that you don’t have to do everything on your own. Hiring the best Fall River auto accident attorney will relieve you of the burden of having to deal with insurers and legal battles. According to the Pheonix Business Journal, 97 percent of civil cases don’t make it to trial. This means that there is a high chance you might end up settling your case. With that being said, how much should you expect from your car accident claim?
What is the Average Settlement Amount for a Car Accident Claim in Fall River?
How much you receive as compensation will depend on several factors. Below are some of the factors that will determine how much you are entitled to:
The Severity of Your Injuries
If your injuries are not immediately visible, the insurance company might offer you a settlement amount that is much lower than if your injuries were visible. Soft tissue injuries such as sprains, bruises, bursitis, strains, and stress injuries don’t command as much attention as, for example, a broken leg.
On the other hand, if you suffered a serious injury such as a traumatic brain injury, the value of your claim will increase. This is because insurers know that a visible injury will be more understood by a jury and you will be awarded a much higher amount should you choose to take your case to trial.
The location of your injury and your occupation will also determine the value of your claim. For instance, a face model who suffers permanent scarring on the face is likely to receive a much higher settlement amount than a data entry clerk who gets a permanent scar on the leg. Another example is a surgeon who suffers a broken wrist will receive much higher compensation because they need their hand to perform surgery. This means that they need to take time off from work in order to heal and this means a significant loss in wages.
This, however, is not to say that soft tissue injuries cannot be worth more simply because they are not visible. A good Fall River auto accident attorney will collect evidence that shows you received consistent medical treatment for your injuries. They can also hire an expert witness that can testify how your soft tissue injury has impacted your quality of life. For example, a doctor can prove that your chronic bursitis, can cause you chronic pain and you might require physical therapy on a weekly basis.
The challenge you might face with invisible injuries will be to prove pain and suffering.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
There are different types of brain injuries and they include:
- Brain hemorrhage
- Concussion
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Skull fracture
- Hematoma
There are a few reasons why the value of your claim will increase if you suffer from a traumatic brain injury:
- The expenses for treating brain injuries can quickly add up. Additionally, treating brain injuries is complicated because the brain is very delicate.
- Depending on the severity of the brain injury, there is a likely chance that it can leave a car accident victim permanently disabled. You may not be able to go back to your job or you may need to be trained for a new job. There is also a possibility you might not be able to work again.
Settlement for a traumatic brain injury case must include noneconomic damages such as pain and suffering, loss of consortium, among others that need to be included. The settlement also needs to cater for lost earning capacity.
A Fall River Auto Accident Attorney Can Get a Fair Settlement For You
If you have been a victim of an auto accident in Fall River, MA, it’s very important that you receive the maximum amount of compensation possible. This is why you shouldn’t dismiss the idea of hiring the best Fall River auto accident attorney. An attorney can efficiently negotiate with insurance companies and push them to offer you a much higher settlement.
Contact us today at 508-676-0001 and schedule your free initial consultation.
