It is the question almost every injured person asks: “What is my case worth?” Honest answers depend on facts that take time to develop. But the factors that drive value are well known, and understanding them helps you see why some claims settle for more than others.
Economic Damages
These are losses with a dollar figure attached:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Rehabilitation, therapy, and in-home care
- Out-of-pocket costs such as transportation to appointments and medical equipment
- Property damage
Non-Economic Damages
These compensate for losses that do not come with a receipt: physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, scarring, and the loss of activities you used to enjoy. In California personal injury cases (outside of medical malpractice), there is no general cap on these damages.
Factors That Move the Number
- Severity and permanence of the injury
- Consistency of medical treatment, with no long gaps
- Clarity of liability, or how strong the evidence of fault is
- Comparative fault arguments against you
- Available insurance coverage, including your own underinsured motorist coverage
- The quality of documentation: records, photos, witness accounts
How Insurers Value Claims
Insurers often use internal software and adjuster guidelines to evaluate injury claims. Those tools weigh medical codes, treatment patterns, and gaps in care. John V. Bell spent years on that side of the process. He knows what adjusters look for, and he builds claims with that in mind from the beginning.
Beware of Early Offers
A quick offer usually reflects what is known at the time, not your future needs. Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, the claim is generally over.
For an honest evaluation of your situation, call The JVB Law Firm for a free consultation.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different; speak with a lawyer about your situation.