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How Much Is My Houston Car Accident Claim Worth?
Many people come to our law firm with a common question: “How much can I expect from my car accident settlement?” Answering this question is always difficult because it depends on your unique circumstances.
Most people don’t know the value of their claim until they have a thorough evaluation one of our experienced Houston car accident lawyer. What we do know is the high cost of medical care in the U.S., regardless of the severity of the injuries. Consider some of the cost listed below.
Average costs for medical treatments:
- An ambulance ride: Approximately $1,000.
- Emergency room visits: Usually ranging from $1,000 to $20,000, depending on the services.
- Hospital stays: Around $2,750 per night or more.
- Surgeries: Costing tens of thousands of dollars.
- Physical therapy: Up to $350 per session.
Some injuries require additional care, including:
- Time in the intensive care unit (ICU)
- Home health care
- Assisted Living
- Medical equipment
- Prescriptions
Each client we help will have different costs and losses. Whether your losses amount to $1,000 or $1 million, you are entitled to compensation from the at-fault party, and you shouldn’t have to bear the financial burden if someone else is responsible for your accident. Contact us today for a complimentary personalized evaluation.
What Factors Influence the
Value of a Car Accident Settlement?
When determining the value of a car accident settlement in Texas, several key elements come into play. These include:
- Severity of Injuries: The extent of physical harm you’ve endured has a significant impact. Severe injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or broken bones often lead to higher settlements because of the long-term effects and medical care required.
- Property Damage: The cost to repair or replace your vehicle is factored into the settlement. If your car was totaled or suffered extensive damage, this will increase the total settlement amount.
- Fault Assignment: Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means the percentage of fault assigned to each party affects how much you can recover. If found to be partially responsible for the accident, your settlement will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you’re more than 50% at fault, you may be barred from recovering any compensation.
- Pain and Suffering: This non-economic damage refers to the physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life caused by the accident. Though difficult to quantify, it’s a vital part of your claim.
- Medical Expenses: All medical costs related to the accident are included in the settlement. This covers hospital visits, surgeries, medication, therapy, rehabilitation, and future medical needs if ongoing treatment is required. It’s crucial to account for future medical care, especially in cases involving long-term recovery.
- Lost Wages and Future Earnings: If the accident caused you to miss work, your settlement should include compensation for lost wages. Additionally, if your injuries prevent you from returning to work or diminish your ability to earn in the future, that loss of income must be considered in the settlement.
Our experienced Houston car accident attorneys carefully assess these factors to ensure you receive the full compensation you are entitled to under Texas law.
Are Medical Expenses Taken Into Account When Calculating My Settlement?
Yes, medical expenses are one of the largest factors when calculating a car accident settlement. Your compensation should reflect both your current medical costs and any future medical care you may need. This includes:
- Immediate Medical Costs: Ambulance fees, emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, diagnostic tests (such as MRIs or X-rays), and initial treatments.
- Ongoing Medical Treatment: If your injuries require long-term care, physical therapy, or rehabilitation, these costs will be factored into the settlement.
- Future Medical Needs: In serious cases, you may need surgeries, medications, or ongoing treatments in the future. Our attorneys work with medical experts to project these future costs and ensure that your settlement covers them.
- Prescription Medications and Medical Equipment: Costs for medications, wheelchairs, braces, or any other necessary medical equipment should also be included in the settlement calculation.
Our lawyers will ensure that all aspects of your medical treatment, both present and future, are fully covered in your settlement so you aren’t left with unpaid bills down the road.
How Is Fault Determined in Houston Car Accidents?
In Texas, determining fault is critical because it directly affects your ability to recover compensation. The state operates under a modified comparative negligence system. This rule states that if you are 50% or less at fault, you can still recover damages, though your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. However, if you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you are ineligible to receive any compensation.
Our team of attorneys excels in gathering and analyzing all necessary evidence to build a compelling case for our clients. We fight to ensure that fault is properly assigned and that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Several sources of evidence are used to establish fault:
- Police Reports: After a car accident, law enforcement typically arrives at the scene to assess the situation. The police report will include an officer’s observations, witness statements, and any citations issued. This report can be critical in determining fault.
- Witness Statements:Statements from individuals who saw the accident can help clarify what happened and who was responsible.
- Physical Evidence: Skid marks, vehicle damage, and other physical evidence from the scene help reconstruct the events leading to the collision.
- Expert Testimony: In complex cases, accident reconstruction experts may be brought in to provide an analysis of how the accident occurred.
Can I Receive Compensation for Pain and Suffering?
Yes, you can receive compensation for pain and suffering, which accounts for the emotional and physical distress caused by the accident and its aftermath. This type of compensation goes beyond covering medical bills and lost wages—it addresses how the accident has affected your quality of life.
- Physical Pain: If you’ve endured significant physical pain from your injuries, this will be considered when calculating your compensation.
- Emotional Distress: Accidents can have a profound emotional impact, causing anxiety, depression, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These emotional damages are part of your pain and suffering claim.
- Loss of Enjoyment: If your injuries have prevented you from enjoying activities you once loved, such as hobbies, exercise, or spending time with family, this loss can be factored into your settlement.
While pain and suffering damages are not as easily quantifiable as medical bills, our attorneys will work to maximize this portion of your compensation, ensuring your pain is properly acknowledged and compensated.
Should I Consult an Attorney for My Car Accident Claim?
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, navigating the aftermath can be overwhelming. Our car accident attorneys at Stewart J. Guss Injury Lawyers are here to guide you through the process and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Handling a car accident claim involves more than just filing paperwork. It requires an experienced advocate to protect your rights and maximize your compensation. Our team focuses on car accident cases and is dedicated to fighting for your best interests. We meticulously gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and navigate the legal complexities to build a robust case on your behalf.
By working with our skilled attorneys, you can focus on your recovery while we handle the pursuit of compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward securing the compensation you need to move forward.
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