How much is my personal injury claim worth?

A lawyer from our San Antonio law firm can get you compensation

If you were injured in an accident, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim to obtain compensation for your damages. If you are in this situation, you probably have a question we often hear at the Herrera Law Firm:

How much is my personal injury claim worth?

This is a common question when considering how much compensation you might get for personal injury claims. After all, you may have lots of medical bills and might not be able to work due to your accident. All of these financial losses are referred to as “damages” by personal injury lawyers. Damages refer to losses you have suffered financially, physically, and emotionally as a result of your accident.

Let’s say you were hurt in a rear-end car accident in San Antonio and want to know how much financial compensation you may be entitled to. Without knowing the specifics of your case, it’s difficult to come up with an exact number. However, understanding the average payout for similar cases can give you a rough idea. Your best option is to contact a personal injury lawyer from our San Antonio law firm and provide some details during a free consultation.

When our attorneys have the right evidence and the right case, we have secured substantial results, including a $1,500,000 premises liability settlement. While every case is different and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome, they demonstrate our commitment to pursuing the maximum compensation available.

Generally speaking, our legal team would pursue compensation from the person or company responsible for your accident. We would then likely consult with experts who can provide unique insights into your case. This may include determining how pain and suffering is calculated, which can significantly impact personal injury settlement amounts. We may also track down witnesses and examine the scene of your accident to build a strong case that produces positive results.

Does surgery affect what your case is worth?

Yes, and often significantly. Injuries that require surgery almost always result in higher settlements than injuries that heal on their own, because surgery adds hard medical costs, recovery time, and long-term impact to the equation.

A claim involving surgery typically includes not just the cost of the procedure, but future medical care, extended time away from work, and greater pain and suffering. If your treatment has included or may include surgery, it's even more important to have an attorney who knows how to properly value every part of your claim, not just the bills already in hand.

Types of compensation in a personal injury lawsuit

The following are some of the damages (financial compensation) that are commonly awarded in a personal injury lawsuit:

• Medical expenses – You may be entitled to compensation for the cost of medical care and reimbursement for your treatment, including both past and future medical procedures related to your injuries from your accident.
• Loss of wages – You may be unable to work, or you may have to reduce your hours after being injured in an accident. A personal injury attorney can help determine the full impact the accident has on your income and pursue compensation for that lost income. Additionally, your lawyer might help you pursue damages for the wages you would have been able to make in the future if your accident did not happen. This is referred to as “loss of earning capacity.”
• Property loss – Whether it’s your vehicle, clothes, or other items damaged or destroyed due to your accident, you may be entitled to compensation for repair or replacement of the damaged property.
• Pain and suffering – Compensation for the physical pain and emotional anguish experienced during and after the accident. How pain and suffering is calculated can vary, but it is an important factor in determining personal injury settlement amounts.
• Emotional distress – When you experience emotional problems such as fear, anxiety or sleep loss linked to the accident
• Loss of enjoyment – When you can no longer enjoy hobbies and other day-to-day activities as a result of the accident.
• Loss of consortium – This refers to the impact an accident has on your family.
• Punitive damages – In some cases, the negligent individual or company’s behavior is particularly egregious or reckless and the victim is awarded damages meant to punish the at-fault individual or entity.

Depending on the extent of your injuries and how much each one of these items adds up to, your case could be worth anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several million. The average payout can vary widely, but understanding how personal injury settlement amounts are determined can help set realistic expectations. You will never know unless you take the time to talk to our law firm about your accident.

How long do you have to file?

In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Once that deadline passes, you typically lose your right to recover anything, regardless of how strong your case is. Learn more about how the statute of limitations could affect your specific claim, or better yet, contact us now so we can start protecting your rights right away.

Fight smart - Contact our law firm right away

As experienced San Antonio personal injury attorneys, our legal team has helped numerous victims get the compensation they need and deserve to get their lives back on track. To learn more about your rights and how much compensation you might get for your injuries, contact us today for a free consultation.