If you were hurt in an accident in Mesa, Arizona, you may be wondering how much your personal injury case is worth. The answer depends on many factors, including the severity of your injuries, the cost of your medical care, and how the accident affects your daily life.
No two personal injury claims are exactly alike. A minor injury that heals quickly will likely be worth less than a serious injury that requires surgery, months of therapy, or long-term care. The strength of your evidence and the amount of available insurance coverage can also affect the value of your claim.
What Factors Affect the Value of a Mesa Personal Injury Case?
The value of a personal injury case is based on the losses caused by the accident. These losses are often called damages. Some damages are easy to calculate because they are documented by bills or receipts. Others are harder to measure because they involve pain, stress, and changes to your quality of life.
Important factors that can affect a case’s value may include:
- The type and severity of your injuries
- The extent of your current medical care needs
- Whether you need future medical treatment
- Whether your ability to work has changed
- Whether you share fault for the accident
- The strength of the evidence
- The insurance coverage available
A claim may be worth more if the injury causes permanent harm or keeps you from returning to your job. It may also be worth more if the at-fault party acted recklessly or dangerously.
What Economic Damages Can I Recover?
Economic damages are the financial losses tied to your accident. These damages are usually proven with documents such as bills, pay stubs, invoices, and medical records.
Economic damages may include:
- Emergency room bills
- Hospital stays
- Surgery
- Doctor visits
- Physical therapy
- Prescription medication
- Medical devices
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Future costs may also be included. For example, you may need more treatment, another surgery, or ongoing therapy. If your injuries affect your ability to work, your claim may also include future lost income.
What Non-Economic Damages Can I Recover?
Non-economic damages cover the personal impact of an injury. These damages do not come with a clear price tag, but they can be a major part of a personal injury claim.
Non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety or depression
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Physical limitations
- Loss of companionship
For example, a person with a back injury may no longer be able to lift their child, play sports, or sleep without pain. These losses matter, even if they are harder to calculate than medical bills.
How Does Being Blamed for My Accident Affect the Value of My Case in Arizona?
Arizona uses a pure comparative fault rule that can affect the value of your claim if you are being blamed for your accident. This means you may still recover compensation if you are partly at fault. However, your compensation can be reduced based on your share of fault.
For example, if your damages are worth $100,000 and you are found 20% at fault, your recovery may be reduced to $80,000.
Insurance companies may try to use this rule to reduce what they owe you. That is why evidence is so important. Photos, videos, police reports, witness statements, and medical records can help show what happened and who caused the accident.
How Do Insurance Limits Affect a Personal Injury Settlement?
Insurance coverage can also affect what you may recover. Even if your damages are high, the at-fault party may not have enough insurance to pay the full amount. In some cases, there may be other sources of compensation, such as your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
Insurance companies also do not always offer fair settlements right away. They may question your injuries, argue that your treatment was not needed, or claim you were partly to blame. A strong claim should show not only what happened, but also how the accident changed your life.
Contact the Mesa Personal Injury Lawyers at Feller & Wendt, LLC for a Free Consultation
If you were injured in an accident, you do not have to guess what your claim may be worth or deal with the insurance company alone. An attorney can review the relevant facts in your case and help you understand which of your losses may be eligible for compensation.
For more information, contact an experienced Mesa personal injury lawyer at Feller & Wendt, LLC to schedule a free consultation today.
Schedule a free case evaluation with our team today. We proudly serve Layton, St. George, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Mesa, Meridian, and its surrounding areas.
Feller & Wendt, LLC – Layton Office
67 S. Main St., #100
Layton, UT, 84041
801-499-5060
801-421-1569
Feller & Wendt, LLC – St. George Office (by appointment only)
169 W 2710 S Cir, Suite 202-A
St. George, UT, 84790
801-499-5060
801-421-3132
Feller & Wendt, LLC – Salt Lake City Office
4424 South 700 East, Suite 240
Millcreek, UT, 84107
801-499-5060
801-421-2445
Feller & Wendt, LLC – Phoenix Office
1 N 1st St, Suite 7550
Phoenix, AZ, 85004
480-702-2277
480-360-4471
Feller & Wendt, LLC – Mesa Office
2222 S Dobson Rd, # 500
Mesa, AZ, 85202
480-702-2277
480-573-7601
Feller & Wendt, LLC – Boise Office
5536 N Eagle Rd,
Boise, ID, 83713
208-595-6953
