What Is Your Personal Injury Claim Worth?

If you've been injured as a result of an accident, you could be entitled to compensation. A personal injury lawyer can assist you determine what your claim is worth.

The amount of compensation you receive depends on the extent of your injuries and various other factors. The majority of compensation awards cover economic damages, like reimbursement for medical treatments and reimbursement for future medical treatment.

No-fault system

The system of no-fault in New York is designed to assist victims to recover damages for medical expenses as well as other financial losses. The system does not cover damages that are non-monetary like pain and discomfort. Thus, victims might need to start a personal injury lawsuit in order to receive the compensation they deserve. An experienced lawyer can guide you through the process of obtaining the amount you require to pay your bills and get back on your feet after an accident.

The degree and severity of the injury can determine the value of your claim. Injury that causes permanent impairment or disfigurement are likely to have a higher value than those that do not. In addition, the extent to which your injuries have impacted your life quality will also boost the value of your claim.

It is important that you document all of your medical expenses and financial losses to receive a full reimbursement. This includes doctor visits, surgery physical therapy, medications, assistive devices and any other medical treatment you will require in the future. Your lawyer can determine this amount by looking over your medical records and getting a prognosis from your physician.

When determining the value of your personal injury claim, it is important to consider any income from third-party sources you have received from sources other than the negligent party. This is referred to as collateral source and it stops negligent parties from making their compensation less by subtracting the compensation you've already received from other income sources.

If you are in a no-fault or tort liability state the value of your personal injury claim will be contingent on how serious your injuries are as well as how many people were injured in the accident. Providence injury lawyers YouTube experienced personal injury lawyer can assist you in understanding the no-fault system and help you fight to get the full amount of compensation you are entitled to.

In a lot of states, such as New York, no-fault insurance coverage is mandatory. Personal injury protection (PIP) pays for medical expenses and lost wages in the event of an accident. PIP limits vary from state to state however, most states offer coverage of at least $2,500 for medical expenses and a certain amount for lost wages.

Damages for pain and suffering

In personal injury cases, the goal is to make a victim whole again after an accident. This can include returning them to the financial position they were in prior to the accident, including medical expenses and car repair costs, as well as compensating the loss of income and other non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. The law defines pain as a broad term that includes physical or emotional effects on an individual. This includes discomfort and pain, mental anguish, diminished vigor or health, and inability to live an ordinary life.


These non-economic damages can be more difficult to quantify compared to other damages like medical bills or lost wages. There are many ways to use in order to determine the value of suffering and pain. Medical records that reveal the amount of pain endured by a victim may be a valuable source of evidence. Testimony from a victim or their family members can show how the injuries have impacted their lives.

For example, imagine you suffer from an injury that has prevented you from taking long runs in your spare time or from engaging in your favorite hobbies. You'll likely be able to prove how these activities have impacted your life quality. In addition, you could have videos or photos that prove your condition. These types of evidence can be extremely convincing to a jury even if they're not supported by scientific evidence.

The multiplier method and the per diem method are two of the most commonly used methods courts use to evaluate pain and suffering. The multiplier method involves the claimant's total economic damages by a number ranging from one and five, whereas the per diem method assigns an amount of value to each day they've suffered from their injuries until they reach "maximum medical improvement."

These methods aren't set in stone as jurors and judges have a wide range of discretion when deciding the amount of compensation they award. It is therefore important to know how to demonstrate your claim for pain, suffering and other damages to improve your chances of receiving a fair settlement.

Compensation for lost wages

A significant portion of a personal injury settlement could be compensation for lost wages. This includes all of the time that you are absent from work due to an accident including weekends and holidays. This includes bonuses, commissions or tips that you earned during your employment. A forensic economist or other financial expert will usually calculate the amount of these losses.

These damages are easy to calculate, and can be proved with paystubs and W-2 forms. These can be compared with the amount of money you made prior to your injury to demonstrate the difference. It may be possible to also include any sick, vacation, or personal days that you had planned to use but were unable to take due to injury.

This type of compensation may help you recover some of the income loss due to your inability to work, and even compensate for any future losses. However, you will not get the full amount you would have received if the accident had not occurred since there's a chance that there will be a lien from other parties who have paid for medical or treatment expenses.

If you are self-employed, it could be more difficult to prove the loss of wages however, this is something that your attorney can discuss with a financial professional. Experts can estimate your future earnings based on your current earning capacity. They will take into account things like the kind of work you usually perform, the amount of hours you typically work during the week, and your hourly rate.

Future losses of earnings damages are similar to the past income loss but they are determined by your capacity to earn in the near future rather than what you earned before. They can also be called loss of future earning capacity or impairment of earning potential. These are typically only granted when it is demonstrated that the injury will significantly and permanently affect your ability to work.

General damages are a different kind of compensatory damage. They can be a result of expenses like suffering and pain. This is a more subjective type of damages that is difficult to quantify. This kind of damage is often granted along with other types, such as medical bills and lost wages. In order to qualify for this kind of compensation you must prove evidence of the physical, emotional and mental stress that you've endured as a result the incident. This could be a doctor's report or a professional testimony from a psychologist or psychiatrist.

Damages to cover future medical expenses

In personal injury cases, future medical expenses can be an important portion of your settlement. They are often difficult to prove and calculate. These damages are typically calculated based on the future requirements. These damages may also include the cost for medication, a prediction by physical therapists of how long treatment will take as well as other factors.

You will need to use expert witnesses such as doctors or therapists to demonstrate future medical expenses. They will testify regarding the nature of your injury and its anticipated impact on your life. They will also assist in determining the value of these expenses. Your lawyer will use this information to present an effective argument for you.

Another factor to consider is the loss of income you will experience as a result of your injuries. This could include lost wages as well as bonuses, commissions and benefits. There may be a need to pay an attendant or a nurse at home or attendant, and you could be entitled to compensation for cost assistive devices such as canes and wheelchairs.

Many injured victims require a great deal of ongoing treatment and treatment following an accident, which can be extremely costly. This includes physical therapy, and occupational therapies. Injured victims are entitled to reimbursement for these expenses in addition to the cost of transportation and accommodation for their journey to and from their appointments.

Be aware of other costs that go beyond medical expenses, such as the loss of enjoyment from activities you previously enjoyed prior to your injury. This is a type of damage that can be more difficult to quantify, but it's important to record it as precisely as is possible.

You can seek compensation for these damages by filing an action or settlement out of court. A settlement is a bargain with the defendant or their insurance company to settle the issue outside of court. A lawsuit however, requires a trial and proof that your injury was caused by the negligence or reckless actions. An attorney who specializes in personal injury cases can help you decide which path is right for your case.