How Much Should You Expect From a Personal Injury Settlement?

If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s actions, you probably have a case to file a suit for compensation. You probably have a lot of questions about what goes into a personal injury case and how you can get the money you are owed. Remember, the best thing you can do is to speak with a personal injury lawyer to have your questions answered. This guide goes over some of the basics, like what the average settlement is.

Getting What You Are Owed

While it may seem like asking what the average settlement is for personal cases may be a good question, this is actually flawed thinking. The purpose of a personal injury lawsuit is not to get any particular amount, and the specifics of the case vary the settlement greatly. If you have a case for a lawsuit, you should not be thinking about how much you can get, but prioritizing getting compensated for what you lost as a result of the injury. This is also the approach the judge is going to take if you are successful. If you paid $5,000 in medical bills, you should expect to receive something close to $5,000. To answer your question, however, most settlements range from $3,000 to $75,000.

Types of Damages

There are three types of damages. These are the categories of payment that the defendant must make if the court rules in favor of the plaintiff. Your case may include all of these, or just one, and how many are included in the ruling determines how much you will receive.

• Special compensatory damages are the most basic type of damages. They include everything that has a set monetary value, such as medical expenses or lost wages.
• General compensatory damages are usually thought of as “pain and suffering.” For these damages, the judge will put a monetary value on anything that is otherwise subjective. For instance, the judge may rule that the emotional trauma is worth $500.
• Punitive damages are extremely rare. They are awarded for no other reason than to punish the defendant. Punitive damages usually only occur in cases where someone was acting maliciously or exceptionally irresponsibly.

Settling

If you decide to settle, instead of letting the court case run its course, you should expect to receive a little less in exchange for saving court costs and getting paid faster. Your personal injury lawyer in Deer Park, TX will be able to tell you whether or not a settlement is fair. Never accept a settlement offer without consulting a legal professional.

Thanks to John K. Zaid & Associates for their insight into personal injury claims and how much you should expect from a settlement.