What Is the Average Settlement for a Personal Injury Case in Philadelphia?
If you are planning to file a personal injury claim after you’ve sustained serious injuries due to another party’s negligent actions, you’re probably thinking about how much your settlement is worth. Pursuing compensation for your injuries is mainly about justice, but it’s likewise about the money you can use for your losses. There’s generally no exact way to know how much the average settlement for a personal injury claim will pay.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Personal Injury Case?
Every case is different, and how much you could recover would significantly depend on various factors. Your Philadelphia personal injury lawyer could provide an estimate of your claim’s worth, but keep in mind that this estimate isn’t a guarantee. Broadly speaking, experienced personal injury lawyers typically evaluate the following factors to come up with an estimate of a personal injury settlement amount.
Your Economic Damages in Philadelphia
The average settlement for a personal injury case depends on your specific damages. Damages are financial losses you incurred due to the accident and the resulting injuries. These can include:
- Medical bills, including emergency services, ambulance, hospital, doctor’s appointments, diagnostics, medications, assistive devices, home care, physical therapy, and other expenses incurred and expected in your medical treatment and physical recovery.
- Lost wages and earnings potential
- Expenses related to property damage
- Costs related to making your house or vehicle more accessible through accommodations such as vehicle hand controls, extra handrails, and ramps, among others
- Expenses incurred for services you had to pay for if your injuries made you incapable of doing your housework, tending to your garden, and/or caring for your children
In order to determine the damages you can recover, your lawyer will review all documents that demonstrate your financial losses, which can include your medical bills, pay stubs, and others. Your lawyer will also need to review the police reports for the accident and your medical records. Depending on the specific circumstances of your claim, your lawyer may likewise need to consult with experts.
Your Non-Economic Damages in Philadelphia
Pennsylvania statutes also enable the average settlement a personal injury case includes to recover compensation for non-economic losses or damages. These can include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment or inability to participate in your favorite hobbies or activities, loss of companionship, and emotional distress. Compared to economic damages, non-economic damages are more difficult to prove and estimate. Usually, lawyers consider the following factors when estimating non-economic losses:
- The length and specific type of medical treatments
- The extent and exact nature of the injuries, including long-term recovery outlook
- Any limitations incurred due to the injuries
- How long a claimant experienced emotional distress and/or other mental health issues
- How the injuries affected the claimant’s quality of life, relationships, and lifestyle
Based on the evaluation of these factors, your lawyer can roughly estimate the most suitable amount for your non-economic losses. It’s also crucial to note that if you’ve sustained a permanent condition or disability, or your outlook for complete recovery is not looking good, your lawyer will demand more compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance provider. Your long-term prognosis would significantly depend on the nature and severity of your injuries and would serve as evidence to justify how much compensation would be commensurate to your total damages.
Potential Punitive Damages in Philadelphia
Depending on the exact nature and specific circumstances of the accident that resulted in your injuries, you may likewise be able to obtain punitive damages. The legal system awards punitive damages to punish liable parties for extremely malicious, negligent, and/or reckless behavior. Take note that these damages are not always part of the average settlement for a personal injury case pays. Punitive damages are very common in cases that involve egregious behaviors such as in assault an/or battery, drunk driving, medical malpractice, and defective product claims.
The Available Sources for Compensation in Philadelphia
Because most liable parties don’t always have the money to pay for losses in personal injury cases, injured victims will need to go after the defendant’s insurance coverage. The limits of the liable party’s insurance coverage will impact the amount of compensation you could potentially recover in an average settlement for a personal injury claim. Personal injury lawyers are aware of this, so they will try to seek compensation from a combination of relevant insurance policies that may include:
- The defendant’s liability insurance coverage
- Your underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage (for auto accidents)
- Your medical payments coverage or MedPay
- Your personal health insurance policy, if applicable
Talk to an Experienced Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Estimating the average settlement for a personal injury case requires legal expertise and the application of legal laws that may apply to the case. This is where sound legal advice from an experienced Philadelphia personal injury lawyer can come in handy. If you or a loved one were seriously injured in an accident, don’t think twice about getting in touch with Mattiacci Law, LLC. You can reach us online or by phone at 215-709-7915 all day, every single day, to schedule your free case review and find out more about your potential settlement amount.