If you have been injured in a car accident, you likely have a number of questions. One of the questions our lawyers get the most is how much compensation accident victims can expect to recover for the injuries and damages they have sustained.
While this is an understandable question, it can be difficult to answer without a thorough understanding of your case. In car accident claims, there are a number of factors to take into account in order to determine how much a case may be worth.
Factors Affecting Your Car Accident Compensation
When calculating compensation for a car accident, your lawyer will consider all of your expenses and damages. While this includes losses like medical bills and time away from work, it can also include the psychological trauma you have endured, the ongoing therapy you might need, and the impact the accident has had on your enjoyment of life. How the accident took place also factors into determining how much compensation you deserve.
That said, figuring out the amount to pursue requires a detailed, thorough approach with a full understanding of the applicable laws. This is why you should always work with an experienced lawyer who has proven results winning car accident claims.
The Extent of Your Injuries
The element that most affects how much compensation you may be able to recover is the extent of your injuries. The more serious your injuries are, the more significant your medical bills will be.
More serious injuries also increase other types of expenses, such as ongoing physical rehabilitation and the effect the injuries will have on your work and career. For example, if you are no longer able to continue in the same line of work because of your injuries, and this affects how much income you can make, you may be able to recover compensation for this long-term loss of income.
The Damages You Sustain
Beyond expenses and lost income, the seriousness of your injuries also impacts other losses you may experience. You may be entitled to damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more.
These losses are known as non-economic damages. Although they generally don’t represent a direct financial burden, they can adversely affect your quality of life long-term or even permanently.
The Circumstances of the Accident
In some cases, the specific circumstances of an accident can affect the amount of compensation you may be able to recover. When an individual’s actions are considered egregiously reckless or even malicious, accident victims may be able to pursue compensation for punitive damages.
Punitive damages are not related to the impact the accident had on your life. Instead, they are intended to punish the negligent party and set an example to show that such actions are taken seriously by the Ohio courts.
What If I Am Partially At Fault for the Accident?
The amount of compensation you are due can change depending on whether or not you were partially responsible for the accident. This is referred to as “comparative fault” or “comparative negligence.”
If another driver pulls out in front of you and you are unable to stop, causing a collision, the other driver will generally be found at fault for the accident. However, if you were speeding at the time of the collision, you will likely be found partially at fault.
In cases of comparative negligence, your amount of recoverable compensation is adjusted based on what percentage you are deemed responsible for the accident. A jury or judge might ultimately decide that the other driver was 90% responsible for the accident while you were 10% responsible. The percentage would then be applied to the amount of compensation you otherwise would have been able to receive.
For example, if your total damages added up to $100,000, but you were found to be 10% responsible for the accident, you would only be able to recover $90,000 in compensation.
In addition, it is important to note that Ohio law bars you from recovery if your share of the fault reaches a certain threshold. If you are found to be 50% or more at fault for the accident, you will not be able to recover any compensation.
Get Started on Your Car Accident Claim Today
Figuring out how much your car accident claim is worth can be a difficult task, and the average amounts you find online have little to do with what you may be able to recover. The car accident lawyers at Colombo Law will thoroughly review your case, including the specifics of the crash and the injuries and damages you have sustained, and build a strong claim on your behalf for the compensation you deserve.
The attorneys at Colombo Law help clients with car accident claims in Columbus and throughout Ohio. Please call (614) 362-7000 today for a FREE case review.
