When you’re injured in an accident in Detroit, your mind can start racing. Once the initial shock fades and you get past the “Am I going to be okay?” moment, those real-life concerns kick in fast. Hospital bills appear out of nowhere, missed work starts to chip away at your paycheck, and you are left wondering about your next steps.
One of the biggest questions people have in this situation is, “What is my case actually worth?” There is a system behind determining case value. It considers multiple factors, from the severity of your injuries to how the accident has affected your daily life. If you want to make sense of what goes into that number, here is a breakdown of how case value is determined in a Detroit personal injury case.
Your Medical Treatment and Expenses
Medical costs are the backbone of any personal injury claim. They paint a clear picture of what happened, the severity of the injuries, and the kind of care you will need. Your personal injury lawyer will look at:
- Emergency room bills
- Hospital stays
- Surgeries
- Physical therapy
- Chiropractic care
- Medications
- Future medical needs
A fair case value will include not only the bills you have already received, but the ones you will face down the road.
Lost Wages and Lost Earning Capacity
Accidents do not just bruise bodies; they bruise bank accounts. In Detroit, if an injury keeps you from working, that lost income plays a major role in determining value. A few things to consider include:
- How long you have been out of work
- Whether your injury limits your hours or duties
- Long-term disability or career setbacks
- Missed promotions or opportunities
If your injuries affect your ability to earn the same income in the future, that’s called lost earning capacity. In many cases, that can significantly increase case value.
Pain and Suffering
This is the category that’s hardest to put a number on, but it is also often one of the biggest pieces of the puzzle. Pain and suffering cover the physical and emotional toll of the accident, including:
- Chronic pain
- Reduced mobility
- Anxiety or depression
- Loss of independence
- Sleep problems
- Inability to enjoy daily activities
Michigan does not use a strict formula for pain and suffering. Your lawyer will rely on medical evidence, journal entries, witness statements, and expert testimony to show how the injury has affected your life.
Permanent Injuries or Scarring
Those Detroit injury cases that involve long-term or permanent complications almost always have higher values. These cases involve:
- Permanent disabilities
- Lifelong mobility issues
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Nerve damage
Any injury that permanently changes your life is weighed more heavily in damages.
Comparative Negligence in Michigan
Michigan has modified comparative negligence. That means everyone’s actions are analyzed to determine who contributed to the accident. If you were partially at fault, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Insurance companies love to use this rule to shift blame onto injured victims. However, with an experienced lawyer, they can use evidence to reconstruct what really happened. In turn, that protects you from unfair blame-shifting.
Strength of the Evidence
The clearer the evidence, the stronger the case value. Insurance companies take cases more seriously when the evidence is organized, documented, and airtight. For this reason, you want to work with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you pursue the maximum value of your case.
Determining Case Value for Your Claim
If you are recovering from an accident in Detroit, you deserve answers, honesty, and someone who will fight for the value your case deserves.
At the Law Office of James Fillmore, our clients are our number one priority. We take the time to understand how the injury has affected your life and build a case that reflects your real losses.
If you want to work with a firm that knows Detroit inside and out, reach out for a consultation.
