Understanding the Value of Your Injury Case in Washington State
If you’re injured, whether it’s from a car crash, a slip and fall, a work accident, or a dog attack, one of the first questions on your mind is likely, “How much is my case worth?” It’s an important question. There’s one simple way to look at it:
First, a case value is usually capped by how much insurance coverage there is. Think of it like a pie. How much of that pie you get is determined by the below formula:
Medical Bills + Lost Wages + Other out of pocket costs + Impact on your life – Comparative fault x the X-Factor = Total compensation
What is the x-factor and what does this all mean? Let’s break down what goes into determining the value of your injury claim.
Types of Damages in Washington State
- Medical Bills: This includes all expenses related to your medical treatment. It’s not just about the hospital bills; it also covers costs like doctor’s visits, chiropractic care, rehabilitation, medication, and any specialized medical equipment you might need.
- Lost Wages: If your injury has kept you from working, you can claim compensation for the wages you’ve lost. You might also be able to claim future lost earnings if your injury affects your ability to work in the long term.
- Non-economic damages: These include physical pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and fear of future injury. They can be more complex to quantify but are often the most important and highest valued part of a case, making it essential to talk to an experienced personal injury trial lawyer.
Factors Affecting Case Value
Whether it’s a car crash, slip and fall, work accident, or any other type of injury, the value depends on several factors:
Severity of Injuries
The more severe and long-lasting your injuries, the higher the potential compensation. It’s a double-edged sword. No one wants to be badly hurt, but the more hurt you are the more money you’ll get. If the accident resulted in a permanent disability, you’re likely to see higher compensation.
Impact on Daily Life
How has the injury affected your daily life? Has it limited your ability to enjoy hobbies, perform daily tasks, or affected your relationships? These are all important factors in evaluating your case value. Again, the more it affects you, the higher your case value. We don’t have a single client who doesn’t wish the accident didn’t happen. If the worst does happen, keeping track of all the ways your life has changed will increase the amount of money you get.
Fault/Liability
Washington follows a comparative negligence rule. If you’re partly at fault for the incident, it reduces the compensation amount proportionally. For example, if you are 10% at fault, your total settlement or verdict will be reduced by 10%.
There are some exceptions. For example, if you’re bitten by a dog in Washington State, the law imposes strict liability against the dog owner. That means that unless the dog was provoked, you can’t be comparatively negligent.
Insurance Coverage
The value of most cases is usually capped by the amount of insurance coverage available. For example, if you get hurt at a property and the owner has one million in insurance coverage, the case value is usually capped at one million. There are important exceptions, making it important to talk to an experienced trial lawyer.
For car crashes, having your own UIM coverage protects you in case you’re injured by an uninsured driver.
The X-Factor
We know from experience that the lawyer you hire is important. Insurance companies and corporations consider whether your lawyer will go to court and will offer more money to injured people with experienced trial lawyers.
Why You Need a Personal Injury Trial Attorey?
Personal injury claims can be overwhelming. A skilled personal injury trial attorney can help you understand the full value of your case and work tirelessly to ensure you receive fair compensation. We will help deal with insurance companies, gather evidence, and take your case to court if necessary.
