Knowing whether your settlement amount is enough depends on your particular situation, your current losses, and your projected losses in the future. Consider the following factors to determine whether your San Antonio personal injury settlement is sufficient, or if you need to go back to the drawing board:
The Negotiation Timeline
If your personal injury attorney secured a settlement hastily, it is possible that the settlement will not be sufficient. Insurance companies sometimes make fast settlement offers so that they can resolve the case quickly and for the least amount of money possible. However, these initial offers seldom reflect a victim’s true losses. If the settlement was the insurance company’s first offer or if you get the feeling that they rushed through your case, your San Antonio car accident lawyer may be leaving money on the table.
Look at the Damages Listed
For tax purposes, settlement offers should list the amount of compensation you are being offered and each category that each sum represents. Go line by line to determine if this seems like fair compensation.
For example, the costs to repair your vehicle should be in line with the estimates you have received. If your vehicle was totaled, you should be offered compensation similar to its Blue Book value.
Damages for medical expenses should pay off all outstanding balances, as well as any amounts that you have already received. Ask if you will be responsible for reimbursing your own insurance company for any amounts they initially paid on your behalf.
Your lost wages should include the amount of your average salary or hourly pay for the days, weeks, or months you lost pay. However, you should also recover compensation for your lost tips, commissions, bonuses, sick time, benefits, retirement contributions, and other employment losses. If you had to pay someone to clean your house, transport you, or take care of your children while you were out of work, you should receive compensation for these added bills.
In addition to the losses you incurred that have a monetary component to them, you should also receive some compensation for less tangible losses, such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, and reduced quality of life. Look at how much compensation is in this category. Ask your San Antonio semi-truck accident lawyer about how it was calculated to see if it sounds like a fair figure.
Consider Future Needs
Your personal injury settlement should not only compensate you for your immediate losses. It should also compensate for losses that you anticipate incurring in the future, such as:
- Ongoing medical expenses, including physical therapy, rehabilitation, and medication
- Future medical costs, such as future surgeries
- Your reduced or lost earning capacity
- Future pain and suffering
George Salinas Injury Lawyers Seeks Maximum Compensation for Our Clients’ Injuries
At George Salinas Injury Lawyers, we focus on doing what is best for our clients and securing the maximum compensation available for their particular case. If you are concerned that your lawyer has not done the same for you, contact us today to arrange a free consultation.