Personal Injury Attorney

When someone is facing a personal injury case, he or she may wonder what the value is. You’ll want to know whether it’ll be worth the fight, but how can you know for sure? While you can’t determine the exact value, there are some aspects that play into most settlements. You and your lawyer can use those aspects to come up with an estimated settlement value. The following are some things to take into consideration as you do this.

Strength of the Case

Before moving ahead with a lawsuit, you’ll want to ensure your case is strong and solid. Your personal injury lawyer can help you make that determination. Do you have enough evidence to prove the defendant is liable? Were there witnesses to the incident or cameras that recorded it? Is there physical evidence that you can clearly present? The more liability you can prove, the higher the chance you’ll reach a high settlement.

Amount of Damages

Some common damages that come out of personal injury include lost wages and medical expenses. Pain, suffering and punitive damages may also be recovered. The strength of your case could determine the amount of damages you’ll recover. Your personal injury lawyer would probably have the best idea of whether you’ll be able to get all the damages you think you’re entitled to. There are various possible outcomes of your case, and your lawyer can walk you through all of them to see where you’d stand in value with each outcome.

Assets of the Defendant

The defendant you’re up against has to have assets to pay the settlement; otherwise you’re not going to get much. Even if the case has the potential for a large settlement, the defendant’s assets will determine whether you’ll receive that or not. Many courts will garnish the defendant’s wages, but supposing the defendant is unemployed or has a small income, you won’t receive what you deserve. The court could also sell the defendant’s assets, but again, without valuable assets, that won’t do you much good.

Speaking With a Lawyer

If you suffered a personal injury and feel you’re entitled to settlement costs, contacting a personal injury lawyer could be your best move. You’re probably wondering what the case is worth so you know whether you should move ahead with it. A lawyer can help you make that determination, as well as offer you representation for your case. Contact an auto accident lawyer in Trenton, NJ today to speak with someone who can help.

Thanks to Davis & Brusca for their insight into personal injury claims and determining the value of your case.