One of the first questions personal injury plaintiffs ask their attorney is how much their case is worth. They’re so used to seeing commercials for personal injury lawyers in Charlotte promising huge settlements. In the real world, it doesn’t work this way. Your attorney can’t fairly say what your case is worth until they’ve had a chance to fully review your case. They also need to see what the defendant’s attorney has to say before they make you any sort of promises.
If your personal injury lawyer tells you on day one exactly how much your case is worth, be wary. You may need to call our office and talk to an experienced injury attorney. Until they have a full picture of what happened, there’s no way know if your case is worth anything at all. For all you know, the defendant may have evidence that shows you were just as much at fault as the defendant.
If you’ve been injured in any sort of accident, it’s a good idea to call an experienced personal injury attorney in Charlotte, North Carolina. They can at least review your case and give you an idea of what it might be worth.
Every Case is Different When it Comes to Damages
What most people don’t realize is that more than 90% of all car accident cases do settle. This is because your Charlotte injury attorney knows how to prove your damages. And, the insurance company knows this. They handle hundreds of cases just like your and they know which cases are valuable and which are not.
If your accident is serious, you’ll be entitled to certain damages. These include some of the following:
- Medical expenses- Some people don’t realize that they’re entitled to medical expenses. Because your insurance covered your medical treatment immediately after the accident, you think it’s fine. However, when they see that these injuries were related to a car accident, they’ll expect to be reimbursed. In fact, they can even file suit on their own against the defendant for these expenses.
- Lost wages – If you only miss a few days from work, you won’t be entitled to lost wages. You have to miss a certain amount of time. You’re also required to use any personal or sick time you have before you can claim damages.
- Pain and suffering – Not everyone is entitled to pain and suffering. It depends on how bad your injuries were. And, these damages are not limited to physical pain. If you experience things like PTSD or mental anguish, your Charlotte car accident lawyer can demand pain and suffering.
- Property damage – If your car was damaged in the crash, it’ll need to be fixed. The defendant’s insurance company should be responsible for this.
Proving your damages can be tricky. Thankfully, your lawyer has years of experience doing this. They’ll submit the medical records and other documentation necessary to do this. That’s why it’s so important that you go to the hospital after your accident. This way, you can prove exactly what your injuries were and when they happened.
Your Case Could Be Discounted if You Were Partially at Fault
One thing you have to keep in mind is that you could be held partially at fault for your accident. Even in the strongest cases, it’s hard to prove that only one party was 100% responsible for the accident. In North Carolina, it is even tougher. They follow something called the contributory negligence rule. This means that, even if you’re only 5% at fault, your entire claim can be barred.
Your Charlotte injury lawyer knows this. That’s why they’ll work hard to settle your case so you don’t have to go to trial. This way, you won’t have to worry about your entire claim being dismissed.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer in Charlotte, North Carolina Today
It’s really hard to say how much an average personal injury case is worth. Every single case is different. It depends on how bad your injuries were. It also depends on things like your age, income and prior medical conditions. Your Charlotte injury attorney knows this.
Call today and schedule your free initial consultation. You can sit down and really talk about your case with someone who knows what they’re doing. You can ask any questions you may have. You can also get an idea of what your case may be worth. Your Charlotte personal injury attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options. Contact us today to see how we can help.