Whether you’re involved in a car accident, slip and fall in a grocery store, or are bitten by an off-leash dog, you may be unfamiliar with how to proceed. Unfortunately, these accidents can cause several injuries, leaving you with expensive medical bills, potentially unable to work, and suffering emotional damages. If this reflects your circumstances, the following blog can help. It explores how personal injury settlements are determined and why you need the assistance of a Sacramento personal injury lawyer to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
What Factors Influence Personal Injury Settlements?
If hurt in an accident, there are several factors that will impact the outcome of your settlement amount.
Generally, the most impactful matter is the medical bills accumulated because of the accident. These are referred to as economic damages as they can be easily calculated. This is because there is an assigned monetary amount associated with medical bills. Similarly, any property damage you’ve experienced will be included in this amount.
It’s also important to understand that any lost wages you’ve experienced because of the accident or if the injuries you endured impact your ability to perform your job duties, thus hindering your income, are factored into the settlement amount.
However, you may have suffered other non-tangible losses because of the collision. These are called non-economic damages because there is no monetary amount attached. For example, you may endure chronic pain because of the injuries or are unable to participate in the activities you once enjoyed.
Non-economic damages are generally assigned a number on a scale from 1.5-5, which is multiplied by the economic damages. These numbers are then added together to determine your settlement amount in a method known as the multiplier method.
What Should I Do if I’m Hurt Because of Someone Else’s Negligence?
If injured because of a negligent party, understanding your rights is essential. Generally, the defense and their insurance company will offer you a settlement that is significantly lower than what you deserve in the hopes that you will accept it. However, by working with an attorney, you can fight for the funds you deserve.
As such, if injured because of another party’s negligence, it’s imperative to connect with an experienced personal injury attorney who can examine the facts of your case and determine how much your compensation should be. They can then negotiate for a fair amount with the defense. If no resolution can be reached, the case will move to trial, where your attorney can advocate on your behalf.
At the Law Offices of Dale R. Gomes, we understand how devastating a personal injury can be for you and your family. Not only does it impact you financially, but it can uproot other aspects of your life. As such, our team is dedicated to helping you recover the compensation you are entitled to. We will do everything we can to help you reach the best possible outcome for your circumstances. Contact us today to learn how we can represent you during these challenging times.