How to Calculate a Car Accident Settlement
One of the most common questions we hear is about the value of car accident settlements. While it’s difficult to answer that question at the beginning of the case, we are in a better position to calculate a car accident settlement as the case progresses.
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, reach out for help from the lawyers at Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP. Your car accident lawyer can help you take action when you’re hurt in a crash and need help.
How to Calculate a Car Accident Settlement
It’s important to remember that every personal injury accident case is different. How the accident happened is different, and the damages are different. Liability and damages are the two biggest factors to consider when calculating a car accident settlement. First, who’s liable when you’re hurt in a car accident?
Liability refers to who’s at fault for the accident. It’s based on the details of your accident. Some accidents are easy to prove liability, like rear-end collisions, or cases where the other driver admits running a red light or disregarding a stop sign.
With other car accidents, you need to prove liability with video footage, dashcam footage, independent witnesses, the location of the vehicles, and points of impact. In these cases, you may need a lawyer to step in and help you prove liability.
Damages You’re Due After a Car Accident
After a serious car accident, you may be due compensation for your suffering. This is known as damages, and they should cover everything you lost. There are several types of damages you may claim in a car accident case. Your damages can be classified as non-economic and economic damages.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are meant to compensate an accident victim for their injury. These damages refer to the intangible changes in their quality of life, rather than their financial losses. Some examples of non-economic damages include the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Impairments and disabilities
- Loss of quality of life or enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety
Economic Damages
Economic damages are money that you have spent or will spend in the future to recover from your injuries. You may need a lawyer’s help to determine your claim’s worth. Some examples of economic damages include:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Past and future lost wages and benefits
- Out-of-pocket expenses like transportation to and from medical appointments, housekeeping, homecare, and childcare
- Prescriptions and medications
- Medical supplies and medical equipment
Insurance companies are notorious for taking advantage of accident victims. They offer lowball settlements—far less than what your car accident settlement should be. Your lawyer can help you determine all your damages and seek the funds you’re due from the insurance company.
Get a Settlement with a Car Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you know has been the victim of a Westchester car accident, you need Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP on your side. We’re skilled at handling car accident cases and calculating car accident settlements, so you know what to expect from your case.
Our firm’s motto is “Don’t Be A Victim Twice.” That means we will do everything in our power to get you the car accident settlement you deserve, starting with a free consultation. Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (842-8462) or fill out our online contact form to schedule yours.