If you have been injured in a collision in Fort Worth, you might be wondering how much money you might get.
Before going through a trial and waiting for a jury to award you damages, I can meet with you and help you understand what money a typical jury awards in cases like yours.
I have handled several thousand car crash cases over the past almost 40 years.
I have a good handle on what they are worth and how to get my clients the financial results they want.
What damages can be paid?
Economic damages pay you for actual financial losses, usually your
- Medical bills paid or incurred
- Lost wages, lost job benefits, and loss of wage earning capacity
Non economic damages including
- Physical pain and emotional anguish
- Disfigurement (scarring)
- Disability
- Loss of consortium (companionship and sexual relations) in serious injury cases
C. Punitive damages in extreme cases
What factors are considered?
I have listed 97 variables in a chart that influence the final payment. This uses data from my client’s file so that I can estimate a jury verdict. This helps him or her know whether a settlement offer from the insurance company is reasonable.
I wrote about this in more detail here.
I also subscribe to a court verdict reporting service that details the outcomes in the Tarrant County courts each week and keep track of the size of verdicts by the court, defense lawyer, injury, medical bills, and other damages. I also monitor the verdicts in other counties, especially Dallas and read verdict reports from the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, American Association for Justice, and a national data base.
As I am preparing for trial, I use local focus groups and an online company to help better estimate the projected verdict and identify evidence problems and case themes.
I have spoken on this topic to trial lawyers groups and keep abreast of the latest settlement and verdict trends.
Doesn’t the “three times medical bills formula” work?
No, it’s not that easy. This formula was used when I started practicing personal injury law in 1980 but it has not been used for over 25 years.
Formulas are arbitrary and unfair. Person A who goes by ambulance to the ER, has expensive tests, and treats 30 times with a chiropractor in a minor impact collision is not necessarily more injured than Person B who goes to his PCP five times after a rollover.
What you should do
Hire the best personal injury lawyer.
Insurance adjusters and attorneys know who they are and pay more to those who file lawsuits, take cases to court, and get good results.
Here are a few examples of our financial recoveries.
Here are some of our reviews from clients.
Remember, insurance companies will not pay much money to people who represent themselves. These companies know that they do not know legal procedures, evidence rules, and case values.
It’s a serious mistake to assume you don’t need to hire a car accident lawyer because the other driver’s insurance company is going to treat you fairly. They won’t.
If you are looking for an injury attorney who will fight to get you the compensation you deserve, please contact my office here.