If you've suffered injuries or the loss of a loved one due to an auto accident, money may be the very last thing on your mind. It’s certainly no substitute for the pain and suffering you've experienced. Unfortunately, financial compensation may be the only justice can receive after being injured by a reckless driver.
Until all factors of your case are understood, the insurance company does not know what your case is worth, despite any attempts to settle quickly. Their primary goal is to keep as much of their profit as possible.
Likewise, not even the most experienced auto accident attorney can tell you what your claim is worth without thoroughly evaluating your case. At Baskerville Law, we offer a free initial consultation to learn about your case and determine whether we can help you further in your pursuit of justice.
Variables that affect the value of your claim
While this is not an exhaustive list, below are just some of the factors that can impact the value of a car accident injury case:
Details of the car accident & police report
- How did the collision happen?
- How many vehicles were involved?
- Did the police come to the scene of the accident and determine liability?
- Who was placed at-fault? Did the other driver admit fault at the scene?
- Were there any witnesses to the accident?
- Was alcohol a factor? Drugs?
- Was weather a contributing factor to the collision?
- Was distracted driving (i.e., texting, talking on the phone, looking at a map) a factor?
Sources of financial recovery
- What type of insurance coverage is available?
- Does the negligent driver have insurance coverage?
- If the negligent driver was not insured, you may still be able to recover compensation for your damages. Do you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on your own insurance plan?
- Does the driver who was marked at fault have any non-exempt assets?
Injuries, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment
- Did you have noticeable pain or injuries immediately after the collision?
- Did you go immediately to the emergency room? Were you transported by an ambulance?
- Do you have injuries that will require medical treatment?
- When did you first seek medical treatment?
- What kind of medical provider did you see?
- What type(s) of physical assessment and testing were performed by medical professionals?
- What does your road to recovery look like?
- Have you suffered any permanent damage or loss of function?
- Have you had, or will you need, surgery as a result of the collision?
- Will you need future and/or ongoing medical treatment? What is the anticipated cost?
- How have your injuries caused by the collision impacted your daily life?
Medical records, bills & liens
- What do the medical records say?
- Does the medical provider relate the injuries to the collision? Did you have any preexisting injuries prior to the collision?
- What is the total of your medical bills?
- Did health insurance or medical payments coverage apply to any of the amounts?
- Were any liens filed by hospitals or medical providers?
- Can the medical bills be reduced?
Damage to involved vehicles
- Were photos taken of the vehicles and accident scene in general?
- How serious is the damage to your vehicle? Was it towed?
- Was your vehicle totaled out? If not, what are the repair costs?
Loss of income and loss of earning capacity
- Did you lose out on pay from work due to the accident?
- For how much time were you unable to work?
- How much money was lost?
- Did a medical provider specify your inability to work in writing?
Attorney’s fees
- What are the attorney’s fees?
- How much are costs?
Again, these are just some of the variables that can impact the value of a car accident claim. As you can see, determining the value of a case is complex, particularly when injuries are involved.
How to avoid a quick settlement
Look, we get it—when you’re worried about paying the bills, a quick settlement may be enticing.
However, settling quickly does not allow for adequate time to understand the measure of these variables and how you may be impacted in the future. A quick settlement can place you in a compromising situation, and the result may be that you're not fairly compensated for your damages and losses.
If you've recently been injured in an auto accident, it's essential to seek legal advice from a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Baskerville Law provides trustworthy, reliable and aggressive legal representation throughout New Mexico, to protect your legal rights from pushy auto insurance companies.
Call or text us at (505) 247-2774 for a free, no-obligation case evaluation today. We're committed to helping auto accident victims and their families receive fair compensation so they can move forward with their lives.