Have you suffered an injury because of another person’s fault? If so, you deserve full compensation for your losses. However, recovering what you deserve can be difficult. This is especially true if you choose to go through the process on your own instead of hiring a personal injury lawyer in Winchester, TN. You can’t expect the responsible party to just walk up to you and write a check for your medical expenses, property damage, as well as pain and suffering. Although it could be great to get a settlement check and take it to the bank, you will forfeit your right to seek more compensation when you cash that check or sign a form that releases the responsible party from any liability and obligation to pay you for the damages related to your accident. This is the reason you need an attorney to negotiate with the party’s insurance company on your behalf.
Determining the Value of Your Injury Case
Unless you are a law expert, you may not know whether the amount the insurance company offers is fair or not for your injuries. You might find later that your medical expenses and lost wages are higher than you thought. When assessing the value of your claim, your attorney will look at facts such as the following:
- Medical bills and costs. You should get compensation for your past and future medical treatment. This includes pain medications, medical devices, hospital stays, transportation to your doctor, and physical therapy.
- Lost income. If your injury makes you unable to return to work, you must get compensation for the wages you were not able to earn. If you sustained a permanent injury, you must be compensated for 100% of your lost wages.
- Pain and suffering. To estimate your pain and suffering damages, your attorney may multiple your actual economic loss by a designated number.
- Emotional distress. If your injury caused you to suffer emotional issues such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress disorder, you must receive compensation for these mental injuries.
Other factors that will be considered to determine the value of your claim include Tennessee’s modified comparative negligence system and the insurance coverage limit of the at-fault party.
Contacting an Injury Attorney
A great personal injury attorney understands the confusion, anger, and stress that usually accompanies an injury. When you work with them, they will advocate for your rights as an accident victim and put their experience to work as they fight for the compensation you deserve.
