It is vital victims of car accidents receive compensation when they are injured due to the careless or negligent actions of another person. However, there are several factors that can determine how much is a final settlement may end up being. Here, the Philadelphia car accident attorneys at the Ciccarelli Law Offices want to discuss seven of these determining factors.
1. The Insurance Wildcard
The value of any accident claim will depend on what kind of insurance policy each driver involved has, as well as the maximum limits of each policy. In Pennsylvania, drivers are required to carry the following minimum insurance to remain legal on the roadways:
- $15,000 for the injury or death of one person in the accident
- $30,000 for the injury or death of more than one person in the accident
- $5,000 for damage to the other driver’s vehicle
Pennsylvania is one of a handful of states that offers a “no-fault” insurance option for drivers. This means that drivers can choose to turn to their own insurance carrier for payment of medical bills in the aftermath of a crash, regardless of who is at fault for the incident. Drivers who have no-fault insurance generally do not have the option to seek damages for medical bills from an at-fault party. Drivers who choose fault insurance (tort insurance) will pursue compensation for the incident from the at-fault driver.
2. Your Medical Expenses, Now and in the Future
In cases where there is a clear fault for the incident on the part of the other driver, their insurance carrier may offer a quick settlement before the full extent of your injuries is known. This can be a major problem because once a person accepts a settlement, they lose the ability to go back and ask for more money if they discover that their injuries are more severe than they realized. A skilled Philadelphia car accident attorney will rely on professional medical assessments when determining whether or not to take a settlement.
3. Your Ability to Work
Many car accident victims temporarily or permanently lose the ability to return to work. For those that can return to work, they often discover that they can only do so lessened capacity and now have a lower earning potential than they did before the accident. This needs to be taken into account when determining a final settlement amount
4. Property Damage
It will be vital to get any vehicle repairs completed in the aftermath of a crash. The at-fault party’s insurance carrier is generally responsible for covering repairs or replacements for the vehicle.
5. Other Out-of-Pocket Expenses
There are various out-of-pocket expenses that car accident victim may incur, including:
- Cost of rental cars while awaiting repairs
- Cost of transportation to and from medical appointments
- Cost of any necessary home or vehicle modifications to aid in mobility
- Cost of medical devices or prosthetics
- Cost of hiring somebody to help with household chores
6. The Location or Venue Of The Car Accident
Verdicts related to car accidents vary depending on the venue. For example, verdicts passed down from juries in cities are often larger than those handed down in rural towns or counties. This is likely due to a higher income of jurors in larger metropolitan areas, making them favorable to giving more money during jury trials.
7. Are Your Injuries Visible and Permanent?
Car accident victims who sustain injuries that are visible or permanent are likely to receive more compensation than those who sustain injuries that will heal completely or have no lasting visible impacts.
Contact an Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident that was caused by another person’s negligent actions, contact the Ciccarelli Law Offices today. We are ready to investigate your case so we can secure any compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering damages, and more. When you need a Philadelphia personal injury attorney, you can call us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling (215) 228-0100.