WHAT IS MY AUTO ACCIDENT CLAIM WORTH?
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, in 2016, there were over 40,000 fatal crashes. In Kentucky there were 803 fatalities and in Ohio there were 1054 fatalities. Every day individuals are injured in accidents across the state of Kentucky and Ohio. Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents and other vehicle-related accidents claim hundreds of lives each year, and injure many others. Drivers have a responsibility when they get behind the wheel to operate their vehicle in a safe manner so that they do not strike other vehicles, bicyclists or pedestrians. Victims and families may have the right to seek compensation or recovery if they or a loved one is hurt by someone's negligence, and the first step is to speak with a car accident lawyer in Kentucky or Ohio.
The Troutman Law Office is licensed in Kentucky and Ohio and understands the unique challenges that victims and their families may face after being hurt. Hospital visits, rehabilitation, lost time at work, the stress of lifestyle changes, and pain and suffering can all add up for families facing the strain of an injury. The law offers important protections to individuals who have been hurt due to another person or company’s negligence. When you hire the Troutman Law Office you are hiring a team committed to helping you, who will work and fight for you.
The value of your accident claim in Kentucky and Ohio will depend on many factors: the seriousness of your injuries, the cost of medical and rehabilitation expenses, wages lost due to missed time from work, and pain and suffering. The value of your claim will also depend on how at fault you are for the accident. In Kentucky and Ohio, you can collect damages for any accident, but your recovery will be limited to the percentage the other party was at fault for the accident. This is why it is important to have a qualified accident lawyer in Lexington and through out the state on your side. The Troutman Law Office will take a look at all evidence and determine the value of your claim.
THE TOP 7 FACTORS THAT DETERMINE THE VALUE OF YOUR INJURY CLAIM:
1. Liability- If you are 100% at fault you cannot make a claim for your injuries. If you are partially at fault for the accident, your damages will be reduced by the percentage of your fault.
2. The Severity of the Impact - The amount and significance of the property damage to your vehicle has a dramatic effect on the value of your claim. A jury or an insurance company is unlikely to believe your surgery for a herniated disk in your back is related to the auto accident, if you just have a few dents on a back bumper.
3. The Significance of Your Injury - Perhaps the most important factor in determining the value of your claim is the nature of your injuries. If you were in a horrific accident that caused your vehicle to be totally destroyed and unrecognizable and you walked away without a scratch, then you have no claim. It is the actual injury that is what you are compensated for and the resulting pain and suffering and lost wages.
4. Length and Type of Treatment - How long you receive medical treatment means that your claim will have more value because it indicates that you are in enough pain that you need help to deal with it. If you are not treating, then the insurance company or the jury will assume that you are not in pain or at least not in significant pain. It is important that your claim is not rushed because no treatment received after the settlement is ever included in the value of your claim and once your claim is settled, it is over. The type of treatment has a significant impact on the value of your claim. If you needed surgery to treat your condition, then your claim is much more valuable than other claims. If you are treated by a medical doctor as opposed to a chiropractor, your claim is more valuable. If you received treatment for 9 months instead of 2 months, then your claim is more valuable.
5. Permanent Injury - If your injury is permanent and cannot be fully cured, then your case will have a higher value because you will experience pain and suffering for a longer period of time. Facial scars, broken bones, and herniated disks are examples of permanent injuries experienced in motor vehicle accidents.
6. Lost Income - If your injury prevents you from working for a period of time or permanently, then your claim will be more valuable. The best thing about a lost income claim is that it is easy to compute when compared to a pain and suffering claim that is difficult to compute.
7. Your Past Medical History - If you have a past medical history of symptoms or treatment in the same area as injured in your accident, then the value of your claim will be reduced and sometimes reduced significantly. This claim is called aggravation of a pre-existing condition and it is still a claim worth making, but its value is reduced when compared to a new injury.
Although the above factors may be the 7 most important factors, there are many other factors that may need to be considered in your particular case and to obtain a full professional evaluation and to obtain assistance with your claim call Attorney Matt Troutman directly at 502-648-9507 or click here to submit your claim information.
PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS IN LEXINGTON, LOUISVILLE AND THE ENTIRE STATE OF KENTUCKY
While most drivers take precautions to be safe, sadly many drivers do not. Drivers may speed, text and drive, talk on their phones, or break the law while behind the wheel. Other drivers drink and drive or take drugs that can affect their ability to drive safely. When drivers fail to take proper precautions, often it is the innocent drivers who suffer immensely. If you or a loved one has been hurt due to the negligence or recklessness of another driver, person, or company, you have rights. The Troutman Law Office in Louisville and Lexington are personal injury lawyers who help families seek the best possible recovery under the law for their damages. We can speak to insurance adjusters, fight responsible parties either inside or outside of court, and help you get the justice you deserve.
You may only have a limited amount of time to seek a recovery under the law. Time matters. Contact the Troutman Law Office today.