One of the problems with the legal profession is that television and the media have created unrealistic expectations when it comes to personal injury law. People watch a movie where an accident victim walks into the courtroom wearing a neck brace and walks out with a check for $2 million. In the real world, it doesn’t work this way. Your Macon personal injury attorney can only demand damages you physically suffered.
When we first meet with clients, the first question most of them have is – “How much is my personal injury case worth?” Any injury attorney in Macon, Georgia worth their salt will be upfront and honest with a potential client. There’s no way to know for sure how much a personal injury case is worth. Your lawyer needs time to review your claim and find out what the defendant’s position is before they put a value on your case.
Here, we’ll talk about the various factors that can impact the value of your personal injury lawsuit. We’ll also review the different types of damages you can demand in your case. If you still have questions and concerns after reading this article, feel free to give us a call. You can sit down and spend some time with an experienced Macon personal injury attorney. Ask they any questions you may have. They may even be able to give you an idea of what your case is worth.
The Value of Any Personal Injury Case Depends on Several Factors
There’s no way to know upfront exactly how much your personal injury case is worth. Since every case is different, it wouldn’t be fair for your injury attorney in Macon, Georgia to promise you any certain amount.
Until your lawyer has had ample time to review your case, they cannot possibly tell you what it’s worth. The best they can do is give you a ballpark figure. Some of the factors that can impact the value of your personal injury case include the following:
The Seriousness of Your Injuries
Obviously, a plaintiff who suffers traumatic injuries will be entitled to more money than someone who only suffers whiplash.
Your Age and Income
Two types of damages that plaintiffs typically demand in their personal injury lawsuit are lost wages and lost future income. The more you earn, the greater these amounts are going to be. And the younger you are, the longer your future career will have lasted. Therefore, younger people with higher income levels typically collect more damages than their older, lower income counterparts.
The Assets of the Defendant
If you’re suing a small retail store, they won’t have many assets to pursue. However, if you were injured by a large corporation, you may be able to collect more in pain and suffering damages.
The Number of Defendants
One of the benefits of being able to pursue more than one defendant is that you can go after multiple pockets.
Instead of hoping that one defendant has adequate assets to pay your judgment, you’re dealing with several people. Their collective assets will almost always be greater than they are for one defendant.
Once your Macon personal injury attorney gets a chance to review your case in detail, they’ll have a better handle on your case. It’s not reasonable to expect your attorney to give you a firm value during your free, initial consultation.
Your Injury Attorney in Macon, Georgia Will Demand Damages
Once your injury attorney in Macon, Georgia proves that the defendant was at fault, they’ll move forward with damages. You can only demand damages that you can prove. Therefore, if you didn’t suffer any medical bills, you can’t demand damages for medical bills.
The same is true for pain and suffering. If you didn’t suffer serious injuries, like a brain or spinal cord injury, you can’t expect to receive a ton of money in pain and suffering.
The damages that most accident victims demand in their personal injury lawsuit include the following:
- Medical bills
- Future medical bills
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Lost future income
- Pain and suffering
Your injury attorney in Macon, Georgia will do their best to get you as much money as possible. You just need to remember that it’s your attorney’s job to make you whole. It’s not their job to make you rich.
There’s a Good Chance Your Lawsuit Will Settle Out of Court
One other thing you need to keep in mind is that you will probably not receive your full demand. More than 95% of personal injury cases settle out of court. This means that you’ll need to compromise. In order to encourage a settlement, your Macon personal injury attorney will have to compromise a bit.
Of course, your attorney isn’t going to make you accept any settlement you aren’t comfortable with. They’re also not going to encourage you to accept a settlement that doesn’t cover your out-of-pocket expenses. For instance, your primary health insurance company is going to expect to be reimbursed for any medical bills they covered. If you settle for too little, they won’t be paid, and they can come after you personally.
Meet with an Experienced Macon Personal Injury Attorney Right Away
We always recommend that you reach out to a skilled Macon personal injury attorney as soon as possible. You don’t want too much time to go by before you talk to a lawyer. Your attorney would rather review your case while the evidence is still fresh. Not only does this allow them to prepare your case better, but it also lets them step in early in the process.
Having a Herro Law injury attorney in Macon, Georgia can make all the difference in your case. Once the insurance company learns you’re represented by legal counsel, they’ll take your claim more seriously. They won’t try to get you to accept a low settlement. In fact, they’ll be more interested in having a serious settlement negotiation with your attorney.
Call today and schedule your free, initial consultation. It doesn’t cost you a dime, so you have nothing to lose.
