When insurance companies calculate personal injury settlements, they are going to look at the accident itself, what happened to the victim, and what kind of evidence there is against their insured customer. If you want to maximize the amount of compensation you receive, it may be wise to hire a Bexar County, Texas personal injury lawyer who can help you build the most convincing case possible.
What Types of Damages Can Make Up Personal Injury Settlements?
When accident victims sue for damages, their personal injury settlements are meant to make up for all aspects of the accident. Your compensation should help pay for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of enjoyment
- Loss of earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Pain from disability or disfigurement
- Property damages
What Can Affect the Value of Personal Injury Settlements?
Insurance companies are going to consider a variety of factors before writing checks and handing out personal injury settlements. They are likely to look at:
The seriousness of the injuries: You can get away from an accident with some scratches and bruises, but injuries from car crashes, slip and fall accidents, and other similar events can also result in broken bones, spinal cord injuries, concussions, and other potentially devastating injuries. Generally, the more serious the injuries are, the higher the settlement.
The road to recovery: How long will it take you to recover from your injuries? Are you going to be out of work for months? Will you be permanently disabled, scarred, or disfigured? These are all things that can be considered when personal injury settlements are calculated.
Who is at fault: If you are completely blameless for an accident, you are likely to get a larger settlement. If an insurer can find a convincing way to partly blame you for an accident, you’ll probably end up with a lower settlement.
How Can I Show Evidence of Pain and Suffering?
The extent of your injuries and the length of your recovery can certainly serve as evidence of pain and suffering. It can also be helpful to talk to a mental health professional who can then attest to the kinds of feelings you’ve dealt with as you recover from this accident and your injuries.
We sometimes recommend that our clients keep a journal documenting their recovery. Write about your pain from day to day. If you have struggles or challenges as you try to get back to your normal life, mention that. Being able to refer back to this can help you make your point about the pain and suffering you experienced.
Schedule a Free Consultation Today
If you are pursuing a personal injury case, set up a meeting with our lawyers first. You can contact Sahadi Legal Group and ask to schedule a free consultation. We can take a closer look at your case and let you know more about what our attorneys can do to be of assistance.
