Understanding and Handling Injury Settlements Better In California?
Accidents are incidents that no one expects to happen till they happen, and the results can be damaging. For some, it can be mild or serious injuries, while it can cause death for others. Unfortunately, accidents are reported daily in California, leading to different personal injury claims seeking compensation for damages.
While some personal injury cases are direct, making it easy to determine fault and measure compensation, others can be complex. Undoubtedly, no two personal injury cases are alike, and that is why there is no fixed compensation amount. The court examines and determines each case on its merit before awarding the necessary compensation.
This article provides general knowledge of how personal injury settlements work in California. That way, you can estimate what to expect as compensation
when involved in one.
What likely amount can you get as compensation in a personal injury case?
As personal injury cases differ, so do the amounts victims can get as compensation. There is no certain amount that is affixed to every case; what victims get is based on the injuries suffered when negligence and other factors have been established. Someone with a major claim and the right evidence to back up that claim will most likely get more compensation than someone with a minor case.
If you want to get significant compensation for damages suffered in your case, it starts with you getting adequate legal representation. Who represents you and how well they can handle your case from the incident till it gets to trial can make the difference. They can help with gathering and documentation of evidence, interviewing witnesses, and showing a breach of care duty in court.
In addition, you should note that while the court considers economic damages like the cost of treatment and time away from work, attention is also paid to non-economic damages. So, for a comprehensive compensation package, you should know how to argue for the economic and non-economic impact of the case on your life.
How to Effectively Determine Adequate Settlement
Settlements, many times, do not only happen with the at-fault party. Sometimes, you may have to discuss settlements with other third parties, like the insurance company and the truck company, in cases of truck accidents. When there is an insurance adjuster, discussions are made, and an agreement is reached on the appropriate method to determine settlement value.
To arrive at the value, a detailed evaluation is conducted of the victim’s life. What was their life, emotions, psychology, and work-life like before the accident? How has any or all of these areas been impacted by the accident, both in the short and long term? Usually, settlements are always raised higher so that after negotiations, they can come down to what is desired by the victim or remotely close to it.
An Estimate of the Personal Injury Settlement Amount
Again, there is no fixed settlement amount in California or any other part of the United States. What you get will most likely be influenced by several factors that are personal to your case. However, a review of previous cases and settlements gives an idea of what to expect on an average based on the personal injury case, including:
- Car accident settlement: $20,000 to $30,000
- Workers’ compensation claim settlement: $5,000 to $20,000
- Motorbike accident settlement: $50,000 to $150,000
- Commercial vehicle accident settlement: $50,000 to $150,000
- Pedestrian accident settlement: $40,000 to $100,000
- Slip and fall settlement: $15,000 to $50,000
- Dog bite settlement: $30,000 to $100,000
Conclusion
“One thing is clear—a personal injury case may not be as simple as you envision it to be,” says attorney Jimin Oh of Solution Now Law Firm. “The ease of getting the compensation you deserve is in the attention to detail.” That is why it is advised that you seek legal representation as soon as you are involved in one so that you can have a professional represent you every step of the way.
Also Read: Tips for Maintaining Oral Hygieneaa
