The severity of your injuries is the first factor that influences how much you receive in a personal injury settlement. It is also essential to consider your injuries’ monetary impact on your life.
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Medical bills
Medical bills are among the most common areas for compensation from a personal injury settlement. These include past and future treatment costs like doctor visits, medication, physical therapy, etc. Additionally, a claimant may be entitled to reimbursement for lost income. It covers the amount of money they have lost from missing work due to their injuries.
In some unfortunate cases, outstanding medical bills exceed the total of a settlement agreement. In this scenario, your attorney will contact all medical providers to request that they take a pro-rata share of the settlement. Although the payment is typically pennies on the dollar, multiple companies refuse to accept this offer freely. To compel them to do so, your lawyer will submit a Petition for Equitable Distribution to the court. This is one way how are personal injury settlements paid out.
The at-fault party’s insurance provider will provide you a cheque once the necessary documentation has been filed and the case has been concluded. It will be made out to you and your lawyer and deposited into your legal trust account. From there, your attorney will use the funds to pay off any debts you owe, such as medical liens. Your attorney will negotiate aggressively to reduce these debts. In addition, your attorney will help you decide which bills are eligible for compensation from your settlement and which are not.
Pain and suffering
In a personal injury settlement, the claimant may receive compensation for pain and suffering as the second type of damages. It covers the physical and emotional distress endured by the victim due to the accident, which may continue to affect them in the future. It’s more difficult for an insurance company or a jury to understand than medical bills and vehicle repair costs, so your lawyer will use your testimony and perhaps evidence from your family and friends to prove the negative impacts of your injuries on your daily life. In most cases, the insurance provider will offer a lump sum for pain and suffering, which can be calculated using a number like a multiplier or a per diem method.
A per diem method assigns a dollar amount each day from the accident date until you reach your maximum recovery. A multiplier will use your actual damages, such as medical bills and property damage, and multiply them by a set number like one to five. It is the most common way that lawyers calculate pain and suffering. Ultimately, the more severe your injuries are, the more likely you will receive a higher compensation for pain and suffering.
Damages for property damage
Victims of personal injury cases may experience a variety of damages, both tangible and intangible. The impact of these damages on their lives is significant. The most common damage plaintiffs can claim are property damage, loss of earnings, and pain and suffering.
When a victim is awarded damages for their property damage, they are usually compensated for the total value of the damaged item. When someone suffers a personal injury, the expenses for repairs or replacements, medical equipment, and other related costs are considered. Insurance companies often combine these special damages and use a multiplier to determine a possible offer for the case.
Damages for property damage are typically easier to estimate than other forms of damage. However, they are often still subject to some degree of subjective judgment. In property damage claims, jury awards are primarily based on the extent of injuries, duration of recovery, and impact on the plaintiff’s life.
Once a claimant has received their award, the funds are typically disbursed by their law firm. It typically takes a week or so after the final settlement. After the outstanding accident-related bills and liens have been paid, the remaining amount will be provided to the claimant as a check.
Lost wages
The amount of money you can recover for your lost wages will depend on the severity and length of time your injury keeps you from working. You’ll need to provide documentation of your earnings for the duration of your losses. Additionally, it’s essential to include any bonuses or commissions that you would have received if you had been able to work at the time of the accident.
Your pain and suffering must also be considered when calculating the appropriate settlement amount. It is a more subjective item that can be difficult to determine. The general rule is that the more severe and long-lasting your injuries are, the higher your pain and suffering will be.
It’s estimated that around 95% of civil cases settle before they go to trial. It is partly because it’s generally cheaper for both parties to settle than to take the case to court and risk losing.
If you receive a settlement for a personal injury, you can opt to receive the funds either as a lump sum or through structured payments. The latter is a series of payments that may continue for the rest of your life or a defined number of years specified in your settlement agreement.
