Accidents happen every day for all sorts of reasons. You may slip on an icy sidewalk at the mall, collide with another car during your commute, or suffer a dog bite in your neighborhood. While most accidents lead to only minor injuries, some can have long-lasting physical, mental, and financial consequences. In these cases, you might wonder how much compensation you can expect for a claim.
An experienced personal injury attorney can look at your accident’s details and evaluate your claim’s potential value. In the meantime, keep reading to learn more about the factors affecting compensation amounts in Connecticut personal injury cases.
The Severity of Your Injuries
As a general guideline, the more severe and long-lasting your injury, the higher the potential value of your claim. For example, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that prevents you from ever working again typically merits higher payouts than a broken leg that heals in six months.
In addition, non-economic damages often lead to larger compensation amounts. Economic damages cover your calculable financial losses, such as medical bills and missed time at work. Non-economic damages consider the less tangible costs, such as pain and suffering or the loss of quality of life.
If the accident was due to reckless or intentional conduct, such as drunk driving or road rage, a personal injury attorney may recommend that you sue for additional punitive damages.
Responsibility for the Accident
Several parties may be liable for an accident: property owners, vehicle operators, equipment manufacturers, and even you. If you were partially or completely at fault, you may receive a reduced compensation amount or not qualify for any.
Connecticut uses modified comparative negligence to determine compensation in personal injury lawsuits. Under state law, you can still qualify for compensation as long as you are not more than 50% responsible for the accident. But the final amount you collect decreases as your percentage of responsibility rises. For example, if you were 40% at fault, you would only receive 60% of the total award.
Negotiation Tactics
Accident lawsuits ending in high jury awards often make the news. However, most personal injury cases end in settlements long before they reach a courtroom. That makes strong negotiating skills an essential factor in determining compensation figures.
Many insurance companies make lowball offers in the hopes that car accident victims will accept them and the case will go away. With the help of a seasoned personal injury attorney, you may improve your chances of receiving a higher amount when negotiating with an insurance company. Sometimes, the mere threat of filing a personal injury lawsuit is enough to prompt a better settlement offer.
Legal Representation
Evidence suggests that accident victims represented by professional legal counsel are more likely to receive compensation. They also increase one’s chance of negotiating a higher compensation amount.
A personal injury lawyer can help you do the following:
- Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies
- Calculate the value of your case, including economic and non-economic damages
- Gather evidence to support your claim
- File all the required paperwork
- Defend yourself against accusations of liability
- Keep track of deadlines, including the statute of limitations (the period for filing your claim)
- Represent you in court if your case doesn’t settle before trial
The Law Offices of James A. Welcome: Your Personal Injury Attorneys in Connecticut
If you’re seeking fair compensation for your injuries, contact the Law Offices of James A. Welcome for assistance. We have 18 years of experience representing accident victims in Connecticut. Call us at (475) 241-0824 or contact us online to set up a consultation.