What Is Your Personal Injury Claim Worth?

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

The amount of compensation you will receive is determined by the severity of your injuries and various other factors. Most compensation awards include economic damages, for example, reimbursement for medical treatments and reimbursement for future medical treatment.

No-fault system

The no-fault system in New York is designed to assist victims in recovering the costs of medical expenses and other financial losses. However, this system does not cover damages that are not monetary such as pain and suffering. Therefore, victims may have to make a personal injury claim to obtain the compensation they deserve. An experienced lawyer can assist you in the process of getting the compensation you require to pay your bills and get back on track after an accident.

The value of your personal injury claim will be determined by the severity and nature of your injuries. Injuries that result in permanent impairment or disfigurement are likely to have a higher value than those that do not. The degree to which you've been affected by your injuries may raise the value of your claim.

To receive full compensation for your injuries, it's important to have proof of the total amount of your medical expenses and other financial losses. This includes doctor visits, surgery, physical therapy, medications as well as assistive devices and any other medical treatment you will require in the near future. Your lawyer can calculate this amount by reviewing your medical records and obtaining a prognosis from your doctor.

It is important to consider any income you may have received from third parties other than the negligent party when determining the amount for your personal injury claim. This is referred to as collateral source and it stops negligent parties from making their compensation less by subtracting the money you've already received from other income sources.

The value of a personal injury claim is dependent on the severity of your injuries and the number of injured in the accident. A personal injury lawyer can assist you understand the no-fault state and fight for all the compensation you're entitled to.

In a lot of states, like New York, no-fault insurance coverage is mandatory. Personal injury protection (PIP) will pay for medical expenses and lost wages in the event of an accident. PIP limits vary by state, but most provide at least $2,500 of coverage for medical expenses and a small amount of insurance for lost wages.

Damages for pain and suffering

In personal injury cases the goal is to make the victim whole. This may include getting them back to their financial situation prior to the accident. It could also involve paying medical expenses, car repairs and reimbursing them if they lost income. The law defines pain and suffering as a broad term that refers to physical or emotional impacts that the accident has caused on the person's life. This includes discomfort and pain or mental anguish, loss of energy or health, and the inability to enjoy a normal lifestyle.

These non-economic damages are more difficult to quantify compared to other damages, such as medical bills or lost wages. There are several methods that can be used in order to determine the monetary value for pain and suffering. Medical records that detail the amount of pain endured by a victim can be valuable evidence. The testimony of a victim or family members could show how the injuries have impacted their lives.

Imagine, for instance that you're injured and are not able to run long distances or engage in your activities. You would probably be able to prove how these activities have impacted your life quality. You may also have photos or videos that show your health. These types of proof can be very persuasive even if not backed up by scientific evidence.


The multiplier method as well as the per diem method are two of the most commonly used methods courts use to determine the amount of pain and suffering. The multiplier method involves multiplying the amount of the claimant's damages in economic terms by one and five. The per diem method allocates a specific amount for each day of suffering and pain until the claimant is at "maximum improvement".

These methods aren't set in stone and jurors and judges have the freedom to decide the amount of compensation they will award. Therefore, it is important to understand how to prove your claim for suffering and pain to increase your chances of receiving an equitable settlement.

Compensation for lost wages

Loss of wages damages can be a significant part of a personal injury award. This includes all time missed from work as a result of an accident, including holidays and weekends. This includes any bonuses, commissions or tips that you could have earned while working. A forensic economist or other financial expert will typically calculate the cost of these losses.

These damages are easy to calculate and can be proved with paystubs and W-2 forms. These can be compared to the amount of income you earned prior to your injury to determine the difference. It may be possible to also include any vacation, sick or personal days you planned to take but had to forgo due to the injury.

This kind of compensation could allow you to recover some of the income loss due to your inability to work, or even pay for future losses. However, you may not receive the full amount that you would have received had your injury hadn't occurred, because there is likely to be an obligation from other parties who provided treatment or medical expenses.

If you are self-employed, it can be more difficult to prove the loss of wages However, this is a matter that your attorney can discuss with a financial advisor. These experts can estimate your future earnings based upon your current earning capacity. They will take into account factors such as the type of work you usually perform, the amount of hours you normally work every week, as well as your hourly rate.

Future losses of earnings damages are similar to past income loss but are determined by your capacity to earn in the future, rather than what you earned in the past. These damages are also referred to as impairment of earning capacity or loss of earning potential in the future. These are typically only awarded when it can be shown that the injury will substantially and permanently limit your future ability to work.

Another kind of compensatory damages is known as general damages and can include expenses such as pain and suffering. This is a more subjective category of damages that can be difficult to quantify. It is usually awarded in addition to the other types of damages such as medical expenses and lost wages. In order to be eligible for this type of damage, you must provide evidence of physical, emotional and mental distress you have experienced as a result of the incident. This could include a doctor's report or a professional testimony from a psychiatrist or psychologist.

Damages to cover future medical expenses

In personal injury cases, future medical expenses can be a significant part of your settlement. They can be difficult to prove and calculate. The damage is usually determined by actuarial calculations of your future needs. These damages may include the cost of medication, a prediction by physical therapists of how long treatment will take, and other factors.

In order to show future medical expenses, you will require expert witnesses including doctors and therapists. These experts will testify about the nature of your injury and its expected impact on your future life. They will also assist you in determining the value of these expenses. Your attorney will then use the information to create a convincing argument on your behalf.

You should also think about the loss in income that you'll be suffering as the result. This could include loss of income, commissions, benefits, and bonuses. You may also have to pay a home-care nurse or attendant or attendant, and you could be entitled to compensation for the costs of assistive devices, such as canes and wheelchairs.

After an accident, a lot of injured victims need to continue receiving medical treatment and care. This can be very expensive. Mesa injury lawyers includes physical therapy as well as and occupational treatments. These expenses, which include transport and accommodation costs to and from appointments, are covered by the compensation provided to injured victims.

It's also important to consider the non-medical expenses that may be associated with your accident, like the loss of enjoyment of activities you were enjoying prior to your injury. This type of damage can be difficult to quantify but it is still important to document as accurately as you can.

You can seek compensation for these losses by filing a lawsuit or settling out of court. A settlement is a deal with the defendant or their insurance company to settle an issue outside of court. A lawsuit requires a trial, and evidence that the defendant's negligence, or carelessness caused your injury. An attorney for personal injury can assist you in deciding which option is best for your case.