How Much is My North Carolina Car Accident Case Worth?

At Arnold & Smith, PLLC potential clients often ask us how much their car accident cases are worth. The final payout amount is usually the one primary concern for those victims who suffer an injury in a Charlotte car accident. While our attorneys cannot predict the future, we can often provide an approximation of how much we think a case may be worth.

After clients carefully explain the particular details of how the accident happened and provide all relevant background information, our attorneys conduct a thorough investigation. After we evaluate all of the details in a person’s car accident, we can help provide an estimate as to how much the victims should request from the insurance company or in a personal injury lawsuit. Contact our Charlotte personal injury law firm today to discuss how we can help you fight for your right to compensation.

Several Factors Influence the Amount that a Car Accident Case is Worth

The first factor to consider is whether or not the injured party suffered any property damage in a car accident. Evaluating property damage is one of the most clear-cut and visible evaluations. Victims can submit an insurance claim during which the at-fault driver’s insurance company will provide an estimate of how much the property is worth. If the injured party wants to file a personal injury lawsuit, we can help the potential plaintiff come up with an accurate estimate of how much their damaged vehicle is worth if it was totaled. Victims should also seek compensation for any property inside the car that received damage and will need to be repaired or replaced.

The cost of medical treatment resulting from the car accident is the next easiest category of expenses to determine. The cost of medical treatment should include all of the following types of costs:

• The cost of past medical treatment
• The approximate value of future treatment
• The cost of prescription drugs
• The cost of physical therapy
• Long-term medical expenses
• The cost of in-home health care
• The cost of durable medical equipment

Finally, our attorneys help car accident victims determine an appropriate amount of compensation for their pain and suffering. Juries often award significant pain and suffering to plaintiffs whose lives are deeply affected by the injuries they suffered in the motor vehicle accident. Severe injuries can cause motor vehicle accidents, severe non-economic damages, such as the loss of a normal life, disfigurement, and other particular injuries. In many jury trials, juries award non-economic damages that are double or triple the amount of the economic damages.

In some rare cases, plaintiffs are entitled to punitive damages. Courts award punitive damages when the plaintiff engaged in willful, reckless, or egregious behavior. Courts award punitive damages in an attempt to deter other people from participating in the same types of behavior as the defendant. The following causes of car accidents might warrant the award of punitive damages:

• Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Driving at an excessive speed in a crowded area
• Failure to maintain a motor vehicle in a safe manner

Additional Factors to Consider When Valuing a Car Accident Case

• Vicarious liability: in some circumstances, injured parties can hold another person liable for their injuries. When an employee negligently causes a car accident, their employer may be responsible for any injuries caused.
• Multiple injuries: when an injured party suffers various injuries from a car accident, a jury may award the plaintiff more compensation.
• Denial: When defendants deny that the car accident was their fault, a jury may be more willing to award a large sum to the plaintiff. Many cases come down to which side presented the most evidence in their favor.
• Severe injuries: plaintiffs with specific debilitating injuries may receive more compensation. Plaintiffs with disfigurement, permanent loss of an essential bodily function, severe scarring, the loss of ability to have children, or who need surgery may receive more compensation in a jury award.
• Intoxication: public opinion is very much against driving while intoxicated. When drunk drivers cause serious injuries, juries are more likely to award large payouts.

We can Help

Our experienced car accident attorneys know how to calculate a case evaluation accurately. We always conduct a thorough investigation of our client's car accidents and use expert tools to calculate the total monetary amount of their injuries. Contact our personal injury law firm today and set up your initial consultation. Contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC, to analyze your particular situation. Call us now at 704-370-2828 to speak with our lawyers to explore your legal options or fill out our contact form. Now taking cases throughout North Carolina with offices in Uptown Charlotte, Mooresville and our new location in Monroe.

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