It is important to have a clear understanding of the value of your California personal injury case. If you aren’t sure how much your case is worth, you could be at risk of accepting much less than you deserve from an insurance corporation. A personal injury lawyer in Ontario can help you understand what goes into determining case values.
Key Factors That Influence the Value of Your Case
If you get hurt because someone else did not act with a proper or appropriate amount of care, you may be eligible for compensation for a range of damages or losses from the negligent person. The value of your case will be directly connected to the extent and amount of these damages.
Medical Expenses (Current and Future)
The most common type of compensation awarded in an Ontario personal injury case is medical bills. You could recover financial compensation for your past and future health care costs connected to your accident. This may include hospital stays, procedures, tests, medications, physical therapy and rehabilitation.
In general, more severe injuries result in higher settlement values, since they will cost the victim more money in medical care. A catastrophic injury that results in permanent disability, for example, could have a lifetime of medical expenses for the victim.
Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity
The amount of the victim’s lost wages can also impact the value of the claim. The more the injury interferes with the victim’s ability to earn a living wage, the higher the value of the claim will be to make up for these lost earnings over time.
Pain, Suffering and Emotional Distress
In California, it is possible to recover compensation from a negligent party not only for bills and financial losses but also “pain and suffering.” The amount of physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident and injury can determine how much is awarded by a jury in pain and suffering damages.
Property Damage Repairs
If the harmful accident resulted in damage to the victim’s property in addition to bodily injuries, such as in a motor vehicle accident, the victim may qualify for compensation to cover property repairs or the replacement of destroyed personal belongings.
Liability and Comparative Fault in California
In addition to the types of damages recoverable, another factor that can influence case value in Ontario is comparative fault. State law holds each party accountable for his or her degree of negligence for an accident. This means if the victim is given a percentage of the blame, this will reduce the financial compensation awarded by an equivalent amount.
Why You Should Speak to an Ontario Personal Injury Lawyer
Most personal injury claims are not against individuals but their insurance providers. Unfortunately, insurance companies have a lot of practice minimizing payouts to protect their own profits. An insurance company may try to take advantage of you unless you have a personal injury attorney advocating for you.
Maximizing Your Claim With Legal Expertise
The only accurate way to know how much your Ontario personal injury claim is worth is by talking to an attorney. A lawyer will carefully evaluate your case and losses to determine a fair value. Knowing your case’s worth before speaking to insurance companies can enable you to protect your rights and negotiate for the outcome you deserve.
To schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Ontario, contact Jacoby & Meyers. You can reach our Ontario office directly at (909) 316-5154.