What Is My Car Accident Case Worth in Fresno?
Driving in Fresno may be more dangerous than driving anywhere else in the country. In fact, HIghway 99 was ranked as the most dangerous highway in the U.S. And a stretch in Fresno was the most deadly of the whole roadway.
A car accident can have an impact on your health as well as your finances. For many, the expenses that come with a car accident leave the victims in debt. The medical bills and missed days of work take a toll on their finances. When coupled with the emotional stress of an accident, the aftermath of a car accident can be devastating.
But you don’t need to watch your bank account drain. If negligence caused your car accident, you can recover damages for your losses. Although no one can guarantee your car accident case worth, a car accident lawyer in Fresno can explain more about your potential compensation.
Here at Grossman Law Offices, we’ve seen too many accident victims struggle. We want to take on your case and fight for your rights as an accident victim.
What Types of Damages Can You Recover?
If you experience an injury during your accident, there are two types of damages you can recover. One of those types, known as economic damages, is easy to calculate. These damages include all of your bills or lost income caused by the accident and your injuries.
For instance, one of the most costly expenses comes in the form of medical expenses. Ambulances, emergency room visits, and hospital bills can add up quickly. In the days and weeks after the accident, you may have costly doctor visits and lab work. If you need any medicine, the pile of bills grows. Health insurance only covers so much, and you could be responsible for the brunt of your bills. Fortunately, your lawsuit should cover all of your medical expenses. This includes the cost of future medical bills.
Another financial struggle comes in the form of lost wages. If your injury prevents you from working, you could end up with more debt. Hourly and salaried workers alike can suffer after an accident. Even after they recover, doctor’s appointments and therapies could force them to miss days of work. But you can recover your lost wages. This is true for future wages you will miss. If your injury impacts your earning capacity, you can recover those earnings as well.
Another type of economic damage is household services. Your injury could prevent you from taking care of certain household chores. If your lawsuit is successful, you could receive money for those lost services.
Breakdown of Non-Economic Damages
The other category is non-economic damages. While economic damages are easily determined, non-economic damages are more complicated. They are harder to quantify and vary greatly on a case-by-case basis.
One of the most well-known types of non-economic damages is pain and suffering. The physical pain of an accident can take a toll on you. Although money can’t take away the memory of that pain, it can help you attain justice. You can receive money for your pain. The pain could be at the time of the accident, during your recovery, or long after the accident. If the pain interferes with your daily life, you are likely to receive more money.
Emotional anguish is also difficult to value, but you can receive money for it. After a car accident, most victims suffer on an emotional level. They can experience anxiety, fear, and a sense of humiliation. Some individuals develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. To get some relief from their emotional struggles, some victims turn to therapy. Unfortunately, this is time-consuming and expensive. With the money from your lawsuit, you can pay for the necessary therapies and medication.
Other non-economic damages include loss of enjoyment and loss of consortium. If you experienced disfigurement during or after the accident, this can also add to your car accident case worth.
Other Factors That Impact Your Case Worth
There are several other factors that impact the value of your claim. For one, there’s California’s comparative negligence law. This applies to cases in which both drivers were at fault. For example, one driver could be driving and texting. The other driver might be speeding. Although both drivers were partially to blame for the accident, one has more responsibility than the other.
In this case, one driver could still file a lawsuit against the other party. However, they cannot recover the full amount of damages. The driver can only recover a specific percentage of the total damages. If they were 30% responsible for the accident, they can only receive 70% of the damages.
The Expertise of Your Car Accident Lawyer Fresno
Your lawyer can also affect the value of your claim. If you have an aggressive attorney, they can negotiate with the other party to get you a fair settlement. Or, they can stand up for you in court and make a convincing argument on your behalf.
Here at Grossman Law Offices, we are ready to handle your case. Contact us today and we can get started.