When dealing with the aftermath of a personal injury in Orlando, FL, one of the most pressing questions may be, “How much is my personal injury case worth?” The short answer is that the value of a personal injury case can vary widely.
Understanding the factors that may influence the value of your case can help you estimate your potential compensation. The Orlando personal injury lawyers at Norden Leacox Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers can provide insight during your free consultation. Until then, read on for more information.
What Factors Impact How Much an Orlando Personal Injury Claim Is Worth?
Several factors may influence the value of your personal injury claim. Some of the most common include:
- Severity of injuries: The more severe and long-lasting your injuries, the higher your potential compensation. This includes the type of injury, extent of treatment, and any long-term impacts on your health.
- Value of damages: The value of your damages will generally correlate with the value of your claim. Compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages can significantly impact the value of an Orlando personal injury claim.
- Liability and negligence: The degree of fault and negligence between the parties involved in your case is another major factor. If a party is clearly at fault, it can strengthen your case and increase its value.
- Insurance coverage: Many claims settle with insurance companies. Coverage limits can cap the amount you can recover.
Our Orlando personal injury lawyers can elevate how these factors may impact the value of your claim during your free case review.
What Damages Can I Recover for an Orlando Personal Injury Claim?
The value of your damages will generally correlate with the value of your claim. You generally can seek several types of damages to cover compensation for the different impacts an injury may have on your life. These damages fall into two main categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages represent your quantifiable losses after an injury. These are typically easy to calculate using receipts and bills. Examples include:
- Medical expenses: Costs associated with your injury, including hospitalizations, emergency room visits, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any necessary future medical treatments.
- Lost wages: Compensation for lost wages or diminished earning capacity if your injury prevents you from working during recovery. This includes salary, wages, bonuses, and other earnings.
- Property damage: Compensation for repairing or replacing personal property damaged or destroyed in the accident that caused your injury.
- Out-of-pocket costs: Other expenses due to your injury, including transportation to medical appointments or hiring help for household tasks.
Economic damages can add up to a substantial amount.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate you for the non-monetary impact of your injury. They can significantly affect the value of an Orlando personal injury claim and may include:
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain and discomfort you endure due to your injury. The severity and duration of your pain are important factors.
- Emotional distress: Compensation for emotional and psychological distress after an injury, such as anxiety, depression, and trauma.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Compensation for injuries that prevent you from enjoying activities and hobbies you participated in before your accident.
Your Orlando personal injury lawyer may work with expert witnesses to substantiate your non-economic damages.
Car Accidents and PIP
Car accidents are a common cause of personal injury in Orlando. If you have been injured in a car accident, you should know that Florida follows a no-fault insurance system.
This means that regardless of who caused your accident, your own insurance will cover your medical expenses and lost wages up to a certain limit under your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. These are generally 80 percent of medical expenses and 60 percent of lost wages.
However, under certain circumstances, you can escape Florida’s no-fault rules and file a claim against the other driver. This could lead to much more compensation than what you can get through your PIP coverage.
Can I Receive Compensation if I’m Partially To Blame for My Accident in Orlando?
Being partly responsible for your injury in Orlando can directly impact the value of your claim. This is because Florida follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule. Under this rule, you can still recover compensation so long as you aren’t 51% or more at fault.
However, your compensation will be reduced by your share of fault. So, suppose you are found to be 20 percent at fault for a slip and fall accident in Orlando. Your total damages for medical expenses and lost wages are $100,000. Your compensation would be reduced by 20 percent to $80,000.
An Orlando personal injury lawyer can help you minimize the fault that may be attributed to you.
How Do Orlando Personal Injury Lawyers Help Get Maximum Value for a Claim?
An experienced Orlando personal injury lawyer can significantly enhance the value of your claim. Our team fights for all potential compensation through:
- Thorough investigation: We conduct comprehensive investigations into every claim and gather necessary evidence, such as medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and expert opinions.
- Accurate valuation: We calculate the full extent of your potential damages, including all current and future expenses related to your injury.
- Negotiation: We have years of experience in insurance negotiations. This allows us to counter insurers’ tactics to minimize payouts and pursue a fair settlement on your behalf.
- Litigation: We take Orlando personal injury cases to court when fair settlements cannot be reached. We present evidence that shows the full value of your claim and damages.
If you or a loved one have been injured, our team can help you understand how much your case may be worth.
Contact an Orlando Personal Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you have been injured in Orlando, Florida, seeking legal assistance as soon as possible is important. Our Orlando personal injury lawyers at Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law offer free consultations so everyone can make informed decisions about your case. We also work on contingency, meaning we only get paid if we secure compensation for you, contact us today to receive help, call us at (407)-801-3000.