What Is Your Personal Injury Claim Worth?

You may be entitled to compensation if have been injured in an accident. A personal injury lawyer can help to determine how much your claim is worth.

The amount of compensation that you get is determined by the severity of your injury and various other factors. Most compensation awards include economic damages, such as reimbursement for medical treatment as well as compensation for future medical care.

No-fault system

The system of no-fault in New York is designed to help victims recover compensation for medical expenses as well as other financial losses. However, this system does not cover damages that are not monetary such as suffering and pain. To receive the compensation that they deserve victims may need to make a claim. An experienced attorney can help you through the process of obtaining compensation to pay your bills after an accident, and help get you back on your feet.

The value of your personal injury claim will be determined by the severity and type of your injuries. Injuries that result in permanent impairment or disfigurement are likely to have a higher value than those that do not. The extent to which you have been impacted by your injuries can increase the claim value.

In order to receive the full amount of compensation you deserve for your injuries, it's essential that you keep a record of the total amount of your medical expenses and other financial losses. This includes doctor's appointments, surgery, physical therapist, medications, assistive equipment and any other medical requirements. Your lawyer can determine this amount by reviewing your medical records, and then obtaining a prognosis from your doctor.

When determining the value of your personal injury claim it is essential to take into account any income sources from third parties you have received from sources other than the negligent party. This is known as the collateral source, and it stops negligent parties from making their compensation less by removing the amount you've already received from other sources of income.

The value of an injury claim for personal injury is contingent on the extent of your injuries as well as the number of people injured in the accident. A personal injury lawyer can help you understand the no fault state and fight for the compensation you're entitled to.

No-fault insurance is a requirement in many states including New York. Personal injury protection (PIP) will pay for medical expenses and lost wages in the event of an accident. The limits for PIP vary from state to state, however, in general, they provide coverage of at least $2,500 for medical expenses as well as a limited amount for lost wages.

Damages for pain and Suffering

In personal injury cases the goal is to make the victim whole again. This could mean returning the victim to the financial situation they were in prior to the accident, including medical expenses and car repair costs, compensating them for lost income, and other non-economic damages like suffering and pain. The law defines pain as a broad category that includes emotional or physical effects on an individual. This includes pain and discomfort, mental anguish, loss of energy or health, and inability to live an ordinary life.

These non-economic damages are more difficult to quantify in comparison to other damages, such as medical bills or lost wages. There are many ways to use in order to determine the value for suffering and pain. Medical records that detail the amount of pain endured by a victim can be valuable evidence. The testimony of a victim, or their family member can be a good indicator of how the injuries affected their lives.

Imagine, for example, that you are injured and are unable to go on long runs or participate in your hobbies. You'll probably be able to demonstrate how these activities have affected your life quality. In addition, you could have photos or videos that demonstrate your health. These kinds of evidence can be extremely persuasive even if they are not supported by scientific proof.

The multiplier method as well as the per diem method are the two most commonly used methods courts use to determine the amount of pain and suffering. The multiplier method involves multiplying the claimant's economic damages by one and five. The per diem method assigns an amount for each day of suffering and pain until the claimant has reached "maximum improvement".

These methods aren't fixed, and jurors and judges have wide discretion in determining the amount of compensation they will award. Therefore, it is important to understand how to establish your claim for suffering and pain to increase your chances of receiving an appropriate settlement.

Brownsville injury attorney for lost wages

Damages for lost wages can be a large portion of a personal injury award. This includes all of the time missed from work because of an accident, including holidays and weekends. This also includes commissions, bonuses, and tips that would have been earned through the job. The amount of these losses is usually calculated by a forensic economist or other financial expert.

These damages are usually simple to calculate and can be established using pay stubs, W-2 forms and other records from employers. You can examine the amount you earned prior to your injury and the amount you earned after. It may be possible to include any vacation, sick, or personal days that you had planned to use but were unable to use because of the injury.

This kind of compensation could help you recover some of the lost earnings due to your inability to work, and even compensate for any future losses. However, you won't receive the full amount that you would have received if your injury hadn't occurred, because there could be an obligation from other parties who provided treatment or medical bills.

It can be difficult to prove that you've lost wages if you are self-employed. However, your attorney can consult an expert in financial matters about this. They can estimate your future earnings based on your present earning capacity. They will consider aspects like your regular job, the number of working hours per week and the hourly rate.

Damages to earnings that you may suffer in the future are similar to income loss, however they are based more on your ability to earn more money in the near future than the amount you earned in the past. They may also be referred to as loss of earning capacity in the future or impairment of earning potential. They are typically only awarded when it is demonstrated that the injury will significantly and permanently affect your ability to work.

Another type of compensatory damages is known as general damages and may include expenses like pain and suffering. This is a subjective type of damages, which can be difficult for the judge to quantify. It is often given in addition to other types of damages for example medical expenses or lost wages. In order to qualify for this type of damage you must show evidence of emotional, physical, and mental distress that you've experienced as a result of the accident. This may include an expert report from a doctor or testimony from a psychiatrist or psychologist.

Damages for future medical costs

In personal injury lawsuits, the future medical expenses can constitute a substantial part of your settlement. However, they can be difficult to calculate and prove. The damages are usually determined based on your future needs. These damages may include the cost of medication, a prediction by an PT of how long the treatment will take, and other factors.


You will need to use experts such as doctors or therapists to demonstrate future medical expenses. They will testify on the nature of your injury and the likely impact on your life. They will also help you determine the current value of those expenses. Your lawyer will use the information to create an effective argument on your behalf.

Another factor to consider is the loss of income you could face as a result of your injuries. This can include lost wages bonuses, commissions and benefits. In addition, you may require a home-care nurse or attendant, and could be entitled to compensation for the costs of assistive devices, like walkers, wheelchairs and canes.

Many injured victims require a great deal of ongoing treatment and care following their accident, which can be extremely expensive. This includes physical therapy, and occupational treatments. Injured victims are entitled to compensation for these costs and the cost of transport and accommodation for their journey to and from their appointments.

Be aware of other costs that go beyond medical expenses, such as lost enjoyment of activities that you were able to enjoy prior to the injury. This area of damage can be difficult to quantify, but it is still important to record as exact as you can.

You could 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 on the other hand requires a trial and proof that your accident was the result of the defendant's negligence or reckless actions. A personal injury attorney can help you decide which option is best for your case.