Person taking a photo of a car accident.

How Much Is My Automobile Accident Case Worth?

Automobile accident victims are usually overwhelmed with all of the significant expenses that are suddenly piled on top of them. Medical bills, lost wages, and other losses can make the recovery process that much more painful. The personal injury attorneys of Hale & Monico are here to help victims understand how much their case may be worth.

How Much Is Your Claim Worth?

The most obvious expense you will have is medical bills. This includes costs related to hospitalization, surgery, outpatient treatment, follow up medical appointments, prescription medications, and more. But accident victims often overlook the cost of future treatments. In serious cases, this may mean rehabilitation, physical therapy, and costs that are incurred long into the future.

If these expenses aren’t considered before trial or a settlement, you won’t be able to ask for them later. Your case may benefit from the input of an expert witness. This is someone specialized in medical and health topics specifically related to your accident. An expert witness can testify to a jury about what sort of treatment you will need months or even years after the wreck.

Lost Wages and Earning Capacity

Accident victims typically lose time from work during their hospitalization and recovery. They may also miss work because of future doctor appointments and other health needs. Serious accidents can make it difficult, or impossible, for the victim to return to the level of productivity they had before they were hurt. This can be especially devastating for workers who rely on physical labor to make a living, but a loss in earning capacity can affect anyone.

Again, an expert witness can help clarify how the accident will affect your future earnings. Before your wreck, you may have had a promising career that is now cut short due to another driver’s negligence. You deserve compensation for that loss.

Additional Damages and Comparative Fault

There are other losses that may apply in your case, such as emotional distress or pain and suffering. However, there is one looming issue that may affect how much you are able to recover at the end of your case, and that is comparative fault.

In Illinois, you have the right to seek compensation when a negligent driver causes you injury and other losses. Fault is what determines whether the defendant will have to pay. But in some cases, the plaintiff can be at fault for his or her own accident. If a plaintiff is determined to be partially responsible, the number of damages he or she would otherwise recover will be reduced by that degree of fault.

The plaintiff can recover as long as he or she was not more than 50% at fault. However, if the plaintiff is more than 50% responsible for the wreck, the defendant will not have to pay. Although many cases are clearly due to one or the other party’s fault, liability is not always this clear cut. No matter what kind of accident you were involved in, having a skilled automobile accident attorney is essential.

Contact Hale & Monico Today

At Hale & Monico, our goal is to help you get back to your life after you’ve been sidelined by an automobile accident. We put our experience to the test for our clients, and we can fight for the compensation you deserve. Reach out to our dedicated team today.