Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers | February 24, 2025 | Personal Injury
If you have been injured in San Diego, CA, due to someone else’s negligence, you may be wondering how much your injury settlement will be. Although there is no exact formula for calculating the amount of money you can expect from a settlement, there are a few factors that can influence the amount, including the following:
Severity of the Injury
The severity of your injury is one of the key factors that will determine how much you can expect from an injury settlement. Expenses like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering are all correlated to the severity of your injury, and will play a significant role in determining how much you are entitled to.
For example, if you’ve suffered long-term physical or emotional injuries due to someone else’s negligence, then you should expect a larger settlement than if you’ve only suffered minor cuts and bruises.
Permanent Injuries or Disabilities
The permanence and/or disabling nature of your injuries can affect the outcome of your claim. Permanent injuries and disabilities typically result in higher settlements; they affect your life for years to come, and result in higher medical expenses over the years.
Your Liability
Another factor that could influence your injury settlement is whether you share in any liability for the accident. If it is determined that both parties were partially responsible for the accident, then any compensation awarded may be reduced.
In this case, your damages would be reduced by the amount that you were found to be responsible. This means that if you were deemed 20% at fault, you could recover 80% of damages from the other party responsible for the accident.
Time Off Work
Injury settlements take into account not only medical expenses but also lost wages due to missing work and changes in work ability caused by an injury. Depending on how long it takes you to recover from your injuries and whether you can return to your job afterward can greatly impact how much money you can expect from a settlement.
Emotional Damages Sustained
In addition to physical damages sustained from an accident or injury, emotional damages can also play a role in determining how much money should be received as part of an injury settlement.
This includes things like depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to the incident itself. These types of damages can be difficult to calculate but are nonetheless important when it comes time for negotiation or court proceedings.
Insurance Coverage Available
The amount of money you receive in a settlement is usually limited by the amount of insurance coverage available. For example, if you are suing for $50,000 in medical bills and other damages but the other party has only $25,000 worth of coverage, then you would be limited to that amount unless you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit.
What You Say After The Accident
Another factor that affects your settlement award is what you said or did after the accident. This includes admitting fault on your part or not receiving medical attention right away (or following all doctor’s orders). These things can potentially hurt your case and reduce the amount of money awarded to you by either an insurance company or a jury.
It’s important that you don’t do or say anything that would give an adjuster or a jury a reason to believe that you aren’t actually as injured as you claim to be.
Whether You Hire A Lawyer
Finally, another factor that could influence how much you get from your injury settlement is whether you hire a personal injury lawyer. Having legal representation helps ensure that the insurance company or other responsible party doesn’t take advantage of you, and gives you a better chance at obtaining a fair outcome in court proceedings or negotiations. If you have been in an accident and need help filing a personal injury claim, contact Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation.
Contact the Personal Injury Lawyers of Pines Salomon Injury Lawyers in San Diego, CA, for Help Today
For more information, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today.
We proudly serve San Diego County and its surrounding areas:
Pines Salomon Injury Lawyers – San Diego Office
835 5th Avenue #302, San Diego, CA 92101
(858) 551-2090
Available 24/7
Pines Salomon Injury Lawyers – La Jolla Office
4660 La Jolla Village Dr. San Diego, CA 92122
(858) 585-9031
Available 24/7
