How Much is My Car Accident Case Really Worth?

Car accident? Blame the other driver. No really, you're a great driver and everyone else has no clue what they're doing. Or at least that's what we all like to think. Sometimes a car accident really isn't your fault, and you're stuck with a mangled car and an aching back. Even worse, you can't go to work. In this situation, you may need to start calling a few car accident lawyers.

The first question everyone wants to know when contacting car accident lawyers is what their case is worth. The truthful answer? It depends. And don't forget the lawyers' fees.

There are a few overriding principles when trying to determine what a car accident is worth:

• Damages, of course, must be the result of the accident.
• You must be able to show with some detail the amount of your injury. This usually means paying an expert or two, which also comes out of your final settlement.
• You, as the car accident victim, must mitigate your damages; no sitting around letting the costs and injuries pile up.

With these things in mind, car accident lawyers, through investigation, determine the potential worth of the lawsuit. Most damages fall into the medical category--cost of past and future medical care, recovery time, permanency and seriousness of the injury, and medical impact, just to name a few.

Car accident victims are also usually entitled to recover the value of their car and its contents, lost wages and earning capacity. Their families might also be able to recover for lost services--to make up for the victim's household and emotional support.

With all of these considerations, it's easy to see why there is no definite way to determine the worth of a car accident case without a detailed investigation into its impact. So, should you find yourself in need of one of the many car accident lawyers out there, remember to keep good records and check out all the resources available at FindLaw.com.

Related Resources:

• What Is Your Personal Injury Case Worth? (FindLaw)
• Economic Recovery for Accidents and Injuries (FindLaw)
• Obligation of Personal Injury Plaintiff to Reduce Damages (FindLaw)
• Your Personal Injury Claim--Frequently Asked Questions (FindLaw)