How Much Is My Car Accident Injury Worth?

General damages are losses that are difficult to quantify. General damages (or noneconomic damages) contrast with special damages (or economic damages), which are calculable. Some examples of special damages are:

• Medical bills
• Rehab or physical therapy costs
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning potential
• Property damage

Though general damages are more subjective and lack a specific cost, they can be as impactful as special damages, if not more. Some examples of general damages are:

• Pain & suffering
• Reduced quality of life
• Loss of consortium
• Disfigurement
• Impairment

Calculating how much a car accident injury is worth is a difficult feat. Online calculators cannot walk you through all the elements of your accident, and there are many components that will influence your compensation.

The first method to recover your losses after you are injured in a car accident will be your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. PIP covers 80% of your out-of-pocket medical expenses and 60% of your lost wages. If PIP doesn’t cover all of your losses because you’ve suffered significant or permanent injury, you may be able to pursue additional compensation through the other driver’s bodily injury liability (BIL) coverage or perhaps under your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) policy.

Read More: Does PIP Cover Lost Wages for a Car Accident?

Though the no-fault system is designed to discourage lawsuits, there will still be incidences where that is the only way to cover your losses. When a suit is necessary, a calculator cannot predict your fault in the accident. In a pure comparative negligence state like Florida, your percentage of negligence will reduce your compensation.

To calculate your special or economic damages. You will need to add up all your medical bills, out-of-pocket expenses, and lost wages, including future medical costs and loss of income. The general or noneconomic damages will be more difficult to calculate.

There are to options for calculating general damages. First, the “per diem” method calculates your financial losses based on a daily rate (i.e., $200/day for 365 days). The second is the “multiplier” method. With this method, you calculate your economic losses, then, you multiply the total by a number, usually between 1.5 and 5. The “multiplier” is based on the severity of your injuries and their impact on your life.

You can be certain that the insurance company will argue for a lower multiplier. That’s why consulting with an experienced car accident attorney is always best. They will understand the appropriate strategy for compensation in your case.

The time it takes to receive compensation for your injuries in a car accident will vary depending on the severity of your injuries and the complexities of the accident, among other factors. However, an average wait is 4 to 6 weeks.

You will receive your payout faster if you settle out of court, but that doesn’t mean a quick settlement is in your best interest. Insurance companies are always looking out for their own bottom line. They are not considerate of your struggles. Consult a car accident lawyer who can advocate for you and negotiate on your behalf to secure a fair settlement.

Yes, you can, but you will have to meet several criteria before you can sue for PTSD, pain & suffering, or mental anguish resulting from your accident.

In order to ask for damages related to mental injuries, a victim must first reach a level of severity involving their physical injuries. Florida Statutes § 627.737(2)(a–d) states that “a plaintiff may recover damages in tort for pain, suffering, mental anguish, and inconvenience” if that plaintiff has suffered:

• “Significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function.”
• “Permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability”
• “Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement”
• Or “Death.”

Knowing the state’s laws is critical to establishing a viable car accident suit. Having a knowledgeable car accident attorney on your side can help ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for both your physical and emotional injuries.

You deserve compensation for your losses when another driver causes a car accident. Though it can be a complicated pursuit, you can be compensated for:

• Ambulance & hospital fees
• Doctor’s appointments
• Emergency medical treatment
• Physical therapy
• Prescriptions
• Future medical expenses
• Replacement services
• Modifications to your home or vehicle
• Lost wages
• Loss of future income
• Pain & suffering under certain circumstances
• Property damage

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, contact an attorney who can help you understand how much your car accident injury is worth and pursue just compensation for your losses.