If you have suffered personal injuries as the result of a traumatic event such as a car accident, slip-and-fall accident or dog attack, one of the big questions facing victims and their families is: How much do we ask for in a personal injury settlement? The answer is neither simple nor straightforward. Similar to a car accident settlement, a personal injury settlement could range anywhere from a few thousand dollars to millions of dollars.

That is because each case has its unique set of facts and circumstances and each case's value will likely depend on a number of factors such as the extent of your injuries, the degree of negligence on the part of the defendant and the amount of insurance coverage available. You want to make sure that your injury settlement covers not only your current medical expenses, but also the cost of any ongoing treatment and care you may need in the future as a result of your injuries.  

Contact an Experienced Los Angeles Personal injury Lawyer

If you have been injured due to someone else's negligence or wrongdoing, it is important that you retain the services of an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer who will help you negotiate the best possible settlement that will cover all your losses. There are a number of reasons to hire a personal injury attorney who is knowledge, experienced, and has proven results.  It is important to get an attorney on your side early on in the process. Your lawyer will be able to collect and compile evidence in your case, assess the value of your claim and help you secure maximum compensation for your losses.

What Types of Personal Injury Cases Are Worth the Most Amount of Money?

The personal injury cases that are typically worth the most money are those that involve major injuries. Often, the personal injury cases that are worth the most are those where victims have suffered catastrophic injuries. This means they may have sustained permanent injuries, disabilities, scarring or disfigurement. Often, with these types of injuries, victims incur not just significant medical expenses, but also lost wages.  

In many cases, with severe injuries, victims may never be able to return to work, which means they lose their ability to earn a livelihood. Examples of personal injury cases that could be worth the most money include those where victims may have suffered severe brain injuries, spinal cord damage that leads to paralysis, amputations, burn injuries and so on.

Who Decides Whether to Accept a Settlement Offer?

As the injury victim, you will make the final decision on whether or not to accept a settlement offer. Insurance companies often make it seem like you may not get any compensation if you reject their settlement offer. However, experienced personal injury attorneys in California know that it's not a good idea to accept the insurance company's first offer. Insurance companies make low offers to begin with because they want to spend as little time and money as possible on each claim. They want to make cases go away with quick settlements.

While that's in their best interest, it most definitely is not in yours. When you are represented by a successful personal injury attorney, the insurance company understands that the case could all the way to a jury trial, which could become costly for them. Insurance companies are more likely to make fair settlement offers when they know you are being represented by a reputed injury lawyer.

Expenses to Include in an Injury Settlement

Personal injury lawsuits against governmental agencies in California have different time limits. Common examples of situations where you would file such as claim include when you are injured by a government employee or when you suffer injuries in an accident caused by a dangerous or defective roadway. In such cases, you must file an administrative claim first within 180 days or six months of your injury. Once you file, the agency has 45 days to respond. If they don't respond, you can file your injury lawsuit within two years of your date of injury. You can file even if the agency denies your claim, but you must do so within six months of their denial.

Wondering If You Can Sue in California?

When it is time to calculate  your personal injury claim, there are a number of expenses that should be included in a personal injury settlement including:

Medical expenses: Your settlement should include medical bills related to your case. It is important to make sure you have evidence that shows a link between your injuries and the incident that caused the injuries. Medical reports and records are important pieces of evidence to help you prove that you suffered injuries, damages and losses as a result of the incident. Medical expenses could include cost of emergency transportation, surgery, hospitalization, cost of medication, medical equipment, etc.

Property damage: You can include any personal property that was damaged or lost as part of your claim. For example, if your car was totaled in a car accident, you can seek compensation for that loss as part of your settlement.

Cost of rehabilitation: Any type of rehabilitative treatment or therapy such as physical therapy or chiropractic care can also be included in your settlement. Often, accident victims need such therapies to fully recover from their injuries.

Mental healthcare: In addition to physical injuries, victims may also suffer psychological effects such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.  

Lost income: If you miss work because of your injuries, you can seek compensation for any lost income, benefits, bonuses, promotions and other work-related losses.

Other than these types of losses, it is crucial that you document any expenses you incur during the recovery process. You may be able to claim a number of those costs as part of your personal injury settlement. Making sure you document your losses will help you and your attorney attach a more accurate value to your case.

Factors That Affect the Value of Your Personal Injury Settlement

A number of factors could have an impact of how much you ask for in a personal injury settlement. Those factors include:

• The nature and extent of your injuries

• The actions of the negligent or at-fault parties

• Laws that were violated

• Impact of the incident on your daily life

• Long-term impact including permanent injuries or disabilities

• Scarring or disfigurement

• Need for ongoing treatment and care

Call to Schedule a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries and trauma due to another's negligence or wrongdoing, it may be in your best interest to seek the counsel of a top rated Los Angeles personal injury lawyer. The injury attorneys at the Vaziri Law Group Personal Injury Attorneys have the knowledge and experience it takes to calculate the right amount of compensation to seek as part of your personal injury settlement. We do not charge any upfront fees or costs unless we help you win compensation for your losses. Call us at 877-812-1085 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.