Even a cursory look at a personal injury lawsuit makes it challenging to estimate its actual value. Although personal injury lawyers in Illinois can evaluate its worth, it still requires careful consideration of detail.
For instance, personal injury cases differ from one another, especially in the type, complexity, and damages sustained. Keep reading this article to see how a personal injury lawyer in Illinois can help you calculate the value of your claim.
Calculating the Cost: What Is the Worth of an Illinois Personal Injury Case?
Generally speaking, the median settlement one can secure in a personal injury case in Illinois is about $31,000. Conversely, a jury research study found that a typical Illinois personal injury case settles for $26,624. Nevertheless, this number says little to nothing about how much you can get on your particular personal injury case.
“In determining a case’s true worth, you have to examine the type of case and the damages involved,” explains attorney Michael McCready of McCready Law Injury Attorneys.
That means you might have a personal injury case worth millions of dollars. If you want a better clue regarding your claim’s worth, start by familiarizing yourself with the different types of cases and compensation available.
Personal Injury Settlements in Illinois: Understanding the Types
The nature of your case will determine its worth; you might have a case worth millions of dollars in compensation. Here are the different types of personal injury case settlements in Illinois:
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Auto Crashes
Auto accidents include truck, car, and motorcycle crashes, as well as other types of crashes. These accidents tend to leave the victims with injuries differing in severity, from minor to fatal. Furthermore, the liability in auto accident cases in Illinois can involve multiple parties, such as in trucking accidents.
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Slips and Falls
Slips and falls are common in Illinois, often stemming from a property owner’s failure to maintain a safe environment. This type of case falls under premises liability and often results in serious injuries, for which the property owner may be liable.
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Medical Malpractice
For individuals who got hurt due to a medical professional’s negligence, a medical malpractice claim helps them recover damages. If you sustained injuries in this regard, you can hold the healthcare professional or their workplace liable for your injuries.
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Workplace Injuries
Workers in Illinois who get hurt while doing their job may deserve workers’ compensation, which their employer’s insurer pays. However, the worker may be eligible for additional compensation if a third party is clearly liable.
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Wrongful Death
Claims involving the death of the victim typically have a higher value, often running to millions of dollars. However, since the victim is no more, their loved ones or relatives will file a wrongful death claim against the liable parties.
Damages You Can Claim in an Illinois Personal Injury Claim
You can claim four major types of damages in a personal injury: economic, non-economic, punitive, and wrongful death damages. Economic damages comprise medical expenses, lost income, lost earning capacity, property damage, and other expenses related to the injury. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, include compensation for pain and suffering, disfigurement, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life, among others.
Punitive damages, however, typically punish defendants for egregious behavior, such as a driver blatantly disregarding other drivers’ safety. Lastly, wrongful death damages apply when the victim dies; their loved ones can get compensation for the cost of the funeral, among other things.
Conclusion: How a Lawyer Can Help You Calculate Accurately
Having a lawyer on your side in a personal injury case in Illinois is critical, regardless of the type of case. Your attorney will assess your case and help you determine the best course of action to take. They will also factor in all your losses from the accident when calculating your settlement amount.
In addition, your personal injury lawyer can help prevent the defendant and their insurer from downplaying your injuries. Understanding that personal injury cases involve many factors, your lawyer dexterously ensures you get adequate compensation to help you recover.
