After being harmed in a car accident, a slip-and-fall, or another occurrence brought on by someone else’s negligence, you might be considering making a personal injury claim. We get the question, “how much money can I get if my injuries are permanent?” often after a serious permanent injury accident.
If so, you most likely have a lot of inquiries: How likely is it that I will be awarded just payment for my medical expenses and other losses? Should I work with a lawyer, or can I manage it myself? How long will it take to complete? In this article, we’ll discuss these issues in detail.
How Much Money Do You Deserve?
Permanent disabilities are the most expensive type of cases in most states. One research study looked at in injury cases in nine states as of March 2002 for injuries that happened in 1998-1999. In six of the nine states, over half of instances whose temporary incapacity lasted more than seven days resulted in a permanent partial disability,
The average cost of these cases in the nine states was over $32,000. According to Blum and Burton, the national average for monetary compensation paid per case of permanent partial disability for the accident (injury) year 1999 was over $35,000. It often takes years to resolve instances of permanent partial disability. In certain states, a sizable portion of them were still open more than three years after the injury date.
You should see a qualified doctor and lawyer. Some lawyers can provide a free consultation to help you better understand your case and the possible financial rewards. They can give you a much more precise estimate of how much money to expect based on their experience with countless cases.
Many attorneys can also refer you to skilled medical professionals knowledgeable about your particular type of injury, enabling you to receive greater immediate relief and the best possible diagnosis for your claim.
Documenting Residual Injury
When bringing your claim, you must make it obvious when an injury is permanent and deserves a bigger compensation. You will need proof to support your claim if you can persuade your doctor to include the potential for some lasting or residual damage in your medical records. Asking your doctor to note any long-term consequences is the best way to achieve this.
Ask your doctor’s view at the end of your therapy about the likelihood—doctors rarely use language more precise than “likelihoods”—that your injuries will lead to recurring or degenerative (meaning “showing up later in life”) problems.
Ask the doctor to record it in your medical records if the response is yes. And there is no reason not to say that you need it for an insurance claim you are making against the individual who caused your injury if the doctor asks why you want it noted.
How Long Do Personal Injury Claims Take to Get Resolved?
Almost half of personal injury claims are settled within two months to a year. The average length was 11.4 months altogether. It’s normal to want a rapid payoff, but this doesn’t always equate to a better outcome.
One difference in the research study was that successful claims—those that resulted in a settlement or court decision—took longer to handle than unsuccessful ones. The approximate amount of time required to settle claims also increased as a result of many of the factors that enhanced the likelihood of favorable outcomes and higher compensation, such as engaging an attorney, bringing a lawsuit or threatening to do so, and negotiating with the insurance provider.
Negotiating Offers of Settlement
It would seem clear that you’ll obtain a greater settlement by engaging in negotiation rather than just accepting the other side’s first offer. Even if it might not always be the case, this is still one of the best ways to increase your income.
Hiring a lawyer
The best method to fight these tactics is to have good legal representation. Insurance companies have large legal teams at their hands, and they are skilled at finding ways to undercut your claim and minimize your reward.
Without a lawyer of your own defending you, there is just no way to engage in a legal battle on an even playing field. A qualified lawyer will not only know how to gather evidence for your claim, but they will also have expertise in negotiating a difficult settlement. They will put pressure on the insurance to pay the total sum.
Do you need help with a personal injury case? For the answer to the question, how much money can I get if my injuries are permanent? Contact our experienced personal injury attorneys for help today.
