After being in an auto accident — and once your immediate medical needs are met — the big question you start to ask yourself is simply this: What’s my car accident case worth?
You know that your insurance company is supposed to cover you. After all, you pay a premium each month to ensure they do exactly that. But what you may not realize is how painstaking it can be to actually collect the payment you’re rightfully owed. Even more frustrating, you have no idea how much money you have a fair claim to in the first place.
“So, How Much Is My Case Worth?”
This is a logical and completely fair question to be asking right now, but unfortunately, I have to give the answer that nobody really wants to hear: it depends.
How much you can get paid for your car accident depends on a number of factors, from the extent of the property damage to the amount of pain and suffering you’ve endured. Right now, the most important thing you can do to help ensure full and fair payment is to discuss your case with an experienced, local car accident attorney. Otherwise, you may unwittingly agree to an unfair deal with your insurance provider or — even worse — have your claim denied altogether.
My name is Edward Smith, and I’m a personal injury attorney with more than 30 years of experience helping those in your exact situation. If your auto accident took place in Boulder, Loveland, or somewhere else in Colorado, I strongly encourage you to give me a call and set up a free, no-pressure consultation. In the meantime, I’m going to give you a better idea of what you should (and shouldn’t) expect as your case moves forward.
Common Misconceptions
First off, let me just tell you right here and now that any lawyer who says he can tell you how much your case is worth after ONE phone call is either being dishonest or unrealistic. Analyzing an auto accident case takes a little time and years of experience. Fortunately for you, most personal injury attorneys (myself included) will go through these steps without charging you a dime. I, for instance, only get paid in the event that I successfully help you recover compensation.
Second, do not buy into the theory that car accident payouts are approximately your medical costs multiplied by three. This is simply untrue because, as I’ve said, the way Colorado insurance companies (and courts) determine fair payouts depends on a wide range of factors.
Third, — and perhaps most important of all — you should know that your insurance provider does not have your best interests at heart. Given the opportunity, they will choose to pay you as little as possible for your accident because they want to keep that money for themselves. Having a seasoned, no-nonsense attorney on your side is one sure-fire way to keep them honest as they calculate your offer.
The Truth About Personal Injury Payouts
Now that we’ve established the myths associated with auto accident cases, let’s get more specific on what you actually should expect from your case. Specifically, these are the factors that legitimately impact how much or how little you’re likely to be paid:
- Extent of Property Damage to Your Vehicle
- Medical Costs
- Lost Wages
- Permanent Wages
- Causation (this refers to the other driver’s negligent or reckless behavior and how it ultimately impacted you in a harmful way)
- Speeds Involved
This, of course, is not a comprehensive list of the factors that may be considered during your case. Each auto accident claim is different, and it’s vital to choose an attorney who will take the time to understand the unique circumstances of your wreck and use that information to push for a better payout on your behalf.
Contact the Law Offices of Edward Smith
Colorado is a beautiful place to live, but as we locals know, there are certain dangers to driving in our state. Between winter weather, mountain roads, distracted drivers, and legitimate lapses in judgment, it’s no wonder the Colorado Department of Transportation reported 630 traffic fatalities and thousands of more car-related injuries in 2017 alone.
If you are in the Brighton or Boulder area, don’t allow such a travesty to overtake your life. Instead, schedule a free consultation with me so I can focus on maximizing your payout while you focus on getting better.