Living in Los Angeles is a dream come true for so many Californians, but even sunny L.A. sees its fair share of difficulties. Accidents can happen anywhere, and those who have been injured as a result of a third party’s negligence may be eligible for financial compensation.
This is because — as in other states — California has laws that protect victims from the financial consequences of personal injuries. If it can be proven that your injury should have been prevented, then the party responsible for the injury can be ordered to reimburse you for your expenses.
What are Damages?
Those who have suffered personal injuries don’t need to be told how costly it can be to pay for recovery. Aside from medical bills, they often have to contend with the loss of income from any time they may have missed at work.
Being unable to work can make paying mounting medical bills seem nearly impossible. Additionally, there are other, less obvious ways, in which personal injuries negatively affect those who have been injured. For instance, they may not be able to apply for a new job opening, which means they have missed out on a potential wage increase.
To calculate how much you can be awarded in court as a personal injury victim, you must first know the costs of your damages. Damages are any calculable compensation for a victim.
You may be able to seek more compensation than you realize. Personal injury suits can be filed for much more than just lost wages and medical bills. Damages that can potentially be compensated for in a personal injury settlement include the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost future wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional damages
In cases where the victim of a personal injury has passed away, the family may be entitled to compensation in the victim’s stead.
In addition to the damages covered in nonfatal personal injury cases, families who pursue a wrongful death claim (the term used for personal injury cases in which there is a fatality) may be entitled to further compensation for expenses like funeral costs.
How much should your settlement be?
Calculating the cost of any personal injury settlement is a difficult task. There are numerous factors at play, some as seemingly inconsequential as the particular insurance company of the party at fault.
In calculating how much a particular settlement may be, you must consider which damages could be proved in a court of law. This is impractical without professional legal help.
Those seeking compensation in a personal injury case should never do so without professional legal counsel. A personal injury lawyer will give you a much higher chance of success in your claim.
Many insurance companies offer quick payouts to victims of personal injuries. These quick offers are often much smaller than what would be awarded in court. With a lawyer present, insurance companies are less likely to try to take advantage of you. Personal injury lawyers will help you get a fair settlement.
According to a survey conducted by Jury Verdict Research, California personal injury cases saw a median settlement of $150,000.
While compensation will vary from case to case, these kinds of settlements are not uncommon. The damages in a personal injury case can quickly add up. For that reason, it is always best to consider working with professional legal aid.
Contact a Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney
Personal injuries are costly in more ways than one, and you shouldn’t have to pay those costs alone. If you or someone you know has suffered a personal injury in Los Angeles, contact Saeedian Law Group today.
