Personal Injury Costs

Personal Injury Costs

Before filing a personal injury claim, many plaintiffs aren’t sure about what their final settlement will look like. Most have an idea of the number that they would like to see or the number that they deserve. It is important to remember that the total sum of your settlement is determined by several factors.

You have to consider the scope of your injuries, the cost of your medical bills, any lost wages and any fault that you may have in the injury. Also, you have to think about the other party’s insurance and wealth. Here are the three steps that will ultimately determine what your settlement looks like.

Investigation

When you first bring your claim to a personal injury lawyer, he or she will investigate your claim. Often, the lawyer will ask you to bring in different pieces of evidence. These documents may include medical records, police reports, witness testimonies and any other evidence that you may have to not only prove that you were injured but that your injury is worth the amount of money that you are asking for.

Analyzation

Once the lawyer has all of the information in front of him or her, then it’s time to determine what to ask the insurance company for. The lawyer will calculate the costs of your injury. With the past, current and future medical bills, he or she may also take into consideration pain and suffering costs. Lawyers have a formula to help determine the cost of a case. Once your lawyer determines what your case is worth, you can move to the negotiation step.

Negotiation

Most personal injury cases do not go to trial. Once your attorney calculates the cost of your case, he or she may make an offer to the insurance company. In some cases, the insurance company will make the offer first. It is up to you and your attorney to figure out whether it is smart to accept or decline an offer. In many cases, you would decline and send a counteroffer. Likewise, if you make the first move, the insurance company may negotiate. Your award is determined by how negotiations end. You may end up in trial if you cannot agree.If you are considering a personal injury lawsuit, all cases are different. You cannot necessarily judge the cost of your case based on another person’s personal injury claim.