The first question everyone wants answered is "How much is my case worth?" While this may seem like a simple question, it is very complicated. There is no simple formula for determining the value of your case. Most people trust the insurance company to give them a fair amount for their case. The reality is that insurance companies want to maximize their profits by minimizing the amount paid to an injured person. Insurance companies have several factors that are taken into consideration when determining the value of your case.

Damage to Vehicle (Auto cases)

Insurance companies place low values on cases when the damage to the vehicles involved is low. These cases are described as low impact cases. Insurance companies hire biomechanical engineers to testify that a person cannot be hurt in a low impact collision.

Nature of Injuries

More serious injuries are obviously worth more than minor injuries. Further, insurance companies place low values on cases where injuries do not show up on x-rays, CT Scans, MRIs, or other tests. Finally, injuries that are permanent are worth more than those that resolve.

Type of Treatment

Insurance companies place higher values on cases when a person treats with a medical specialist, such as a neurologist, orthopedic surgeon, or physiatrist. Also, gaps of time between treatments with a physician reduce the value of the claim.

Fault

A case has a lower value if there is a disagreement about who caused the collision. On the other hand, some cases have higher values when the other driver's conduct is really bad, such as driving while intoxicated.

Prior Injuries/Crashes
A case has a lower value if a person had similar injuries prior to the crash or if the person was recently involved in another car crash.

Economic Damages

The value of a case increases as medical bills, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket expenses increase.

Human Damages

Human damages such as loss of enjoyment of life and permanent disfigurement are greater when the damages are longer lasting.

Attorney Represented

An attorney can usually negotiate a much higher settlement than someone who is not represented.

Insurance Company

Some insurance companies are more difficult to deal with than others. Some have software programs that limit the types of damages that the company will recognize. For example, some insurance companies will cap chiropractic treatments at 26 visits.

Insurance Coverage

The value of many cases is governed by the amount of insurance available. An attorney will try to help you find as much coverage as possible by exploring medical payment coverage, liability coverage and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.

Jury Awards

A case can be valued by comparing it to other similar cases that have settled or gone to trial.Case Worth