Posted in Alabama Law,Insurance Law,Personal Injury on August 30, 2019
Alabama state laws allow personal injury accident victims to go up against the negligent, reckless or criminal parties that caused their damages. An injured party can pursue a compensation award, often starting with a claim sent to the at-fault party’s insurance provider. Then, negotiations will ensue to reach a fair settlement amount for the victim. If settlement negotiations fail, the victim’s attorney may be able to take the personal injury case to court. Learning the average settlement amount for a personal injury claim in Alabama could help you know what to expect during your case.
Wide Range of Compensation Averages
It is important to realize no single average settlement exists that applies to all personal injury cases. Each claim has distinct factors that lead to unique settlement awards and jury verdicts. One injured victim could receive a radically different award than another for the same type of accident. The most accurate predictor of a settlement’s value is the severity of the victim’s injuries and damages. In general, an Alabama insurance company or courtroom will issue greater compensation awards for more severe damages.
Many personal injury cases in Alabama settle for between $30,000 and $75,000. However, a victim with a catastrophic, life-changing personal injury may take home significantly more depending on the factors of the case. Some victims with injuries such as brain damage or paralysis, for example, have obtained multimillion-dollar jury verdicts and settlement awards to pay for significant damages. Claimants with minor injuries and damages, on the other hand, receive between $3,000 and $25,000 on average.
Several factors could impact the amount you could earn during a personal injury settlement in Alabama. First, an insurance company will look at the severity of your injuries and how much they have impacted your life and your family. Next, the insurer will analyze factors such as your age, job, income, ability to earn, disabilities, family expenses, property damages and the actions of the defendant to determine the value of your claim. If the insurance company accepts the claim, the claims adjuster will offer a settlement amount based on his or her analysis of the situation. You and your attorney then have the opportunity to negotiate for a better award.
How To Estimate a Personal Injury Settlement
If you are curious about what your personal injury settlement could look like, start your calculations by adding up your known damages. These are the economic and out-of-pocket expenses your accident and injuries have cost you. These can include outstanding medical debts, lost wages, lost earning opportunities, property damage repairs, hotel rooms, rental cars and legal fees. Add all your economic expenses up based on receipts and medical bills. Do not forget to estimate your future medical bills and lost wages based on your health prognosis as well. Then, consider whether you also suffered noneconomic damages.
- Temporary or chronic pain
- Loss of enjoyment
- Diminished quality of life
- Immobility or disability
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Psychological suffering
- Loss of consortium
- A loved one’s wrongful death
Most courtrooms will use the multiplier method to calculate noneconomic damage awards. Your Huntsville personal injury attorney may use the same strategy to estimate the value of your case for insurance claim negotiations. The multiplier method takes the total amount of economic damages and multiplies it by a number from one to five. Your attorney can help you choose your multiplier based on your injuries, with five reserved for catastrophic and fatal cases. Finally, add the amount of your noneconomic damages to your economic damages for an estimate of what your settlement could be worth.
Maximize Your Personal Injury Settlement in Huntsville
If you do not know how your family will move forward after a serious personal injury accident in Huntsville, turn to an attorney for assistance. A personal injury lawyer can evaluate your past and future damages to give you an accurate representation of what your case could be worth. Then, your lawyer can take over settlement negotiations with the defendant or insurance company on your behalf. A lawyer can fight for greater compensation than you may be able to achieve without legal representation. You do not have to fight for a fair settlement on your own.