How Much Can I Get Back from a Car Accident?
An estimated 35 percent of all personal injury claims in California are filed because of motor vehicle accidents. Collisions involving semi-trucks, buses, passenger vehicles, motorcycles, and pedestrians are something we all hope to avoid, but unfortunately, we cannot control other’s actions.
If you were injured in a car crash and believe the other party is at fault, you may be eligible for money damages. Compensation is usually recovered through negotiations with the insurance company, and in rare cases, your lawyer will need to file a lawsuit.
Getting fair compensation after a car crash
How much can you expect to receive after a car accident? Insurance companies may want you to believe that their initial settlement offer is fair and firm. Whether they are willing to pay $10,000 or $100,000 for your losses, this compensation is, in all probability, far less than you actually deserve.
At Ellis Law, our car accident attorneys have 25 + years of experience fighting insurance companies in Southern California. We understand the gravity of our clients’ situations, and the myriad financial burdens they are facing. Toward this end, we offer free consultations to help potential clients understand how car accident damages are calculated, which can shed light on how much money may be at stake.
Our Los Angeles -based legal team draws on decades of combined experience litigating car accident cases and can outline the variables that go into calculating a settlement. It is our goal to help clients regain their financial footing as quickly as possible. When you retain a car accident lawyer at Ellis Injury Law, you can rest assured that your recovery is our number one priority.
Assessing the full extent of your damages
Calculating the value of a car accident claim is a complex process. Every case is different, and requires in-depth investigations that prove the full scope of your injuries, anticipated medical expenses, financial losses, and suffering. The money you recover in a settlement or court award is intended to make you “whole” again in the eyes of the law. In other words, you should be put in a position that you were in before the accident occurred. As any good injury lawyer knows, this isn’t always feasible, particularly when life-altering injuries are involved.
A multi-million-dollar recovery for an accident that has left you paralyzed from the waist down may not make you “whole” again, but it can provide financial security and access to first-rate medical care.
Damages will always be higher in accident claims where victims have suffered permanent disability or impairment that prevents them from returning to work. If you are wheelchair-bound and no longer able to perform your job or enjoy the activities and hobbies you once did, you should be properly compensated for this loss.
Plaintiffs can get a reasonable idea of how much money they are owed by looking at:
- The total of all medical expenses, including tests, doctor’s visits, hospitalization, surgery, medication and therapy
- Any wages lost
- Loss of employment and inability to earn income in the future
- Ongoing rehabilitation costs
In addition to these economic damages, your attorney will seek compensation for less tangible losses that can be equally as devastating. Physical pain and suffering, emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life are more difficult to prove but just as worthy of legal reparations.
Best way to secure the settlement you deserve
Sometimes, insurance policy limits are wholly inadequate to cover catastrophic injuries. If settlement negotiations aren’t successful, you want to ensure your legal counsel has ample experience in the courtroom. Few auto accident cases go to trial, but when they do, you want Ellis Injury Law in your corner.
Our attorneys boast a long track record of courtroom victories and have procured $350 million on behalf of clients. There are no upfront fees, and we can put you in touch with some of the best doctors in the area. We want to help you obtain the maximum recovery for your case; speak with a car accident attorney in Los Angeles today!