Suffering an injury in a Tampa accident caused by someone else’s negligence leaves you facing a host of challenges. You may find yourself unable to work while facing a growing stack of medical bills, all while coping with pain and emotional trauma. You may ask yourself, “How much is my personal injury case worth?” Learn more about it from our firm.
At Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers, we know the stress and uncertainty you face after a severe accident. Furthermore, our skilled Tampa personal injury attorneys provide personalized legal guidance to help you make informed decisions about your case. We offer free consultations so you can discuss your case with a knowledgeable team member and learn more about your legal options and the compensation for personal injury.
Factors That Affect the Value of Your Tampa Personal Injury Case
During your initial consultation, your lawyer asks about the details of your accident and injuries to calculate the potential value of your personal injury case. Many different factors impact the worth of your claim, including:
- The type and severity of your injuries
- The cost of your current and future medical treatment
- The amount of income you have lost due to missed work during your recovery
- Whether your injuries have left you permanently disabled or disfigured
- The strength of evidence showing the other party caused your accident
- The policy limits of the at-fault party’s insurance coverage
- The impact of your injuries on your quality of life and emotional well-being
Carefully documenting your injuries and damages improves the likelihood of you recovering fair compensation in your case. Specifically, your lawyer uses your medical records, pay stubs, repair invoices, and other documentation to calculate your economic losses. We may also consult medical or vocational specialists to determine your future care needs and lost earning potential.
Accounting for Non-Economic Damages in Your Personal Injury Claim
In addition to compensation for medical expenses and lost wages, you can also seek money for non-economic damages, sometimes called “pain and suffering.” Non-economic damages cover the intangible losses you have endured because of the accident, such as:
- Physical pain and discomfort
- Psychological distress, such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Scarring and disfigurement
Proving non-economic damages poses more of a challenge than demonstrating economic losses because these damages are subjective. Furthermore, they do not come with receipts or invoices establishing a precise dollar value.
The Tampa personal injury lawyers at Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers know how to build a strong case that establishes the extent of your pain and suffering. We may use your medical records, journal entries, photographs of your injuries, and testimony from mental health experts to demonstrate the profound impact the accident has had on your life.
Caps on Damages in Florida Personal Injury Cases
Florida places few limits on the compensation you can recover in a personal injury claim. Unlike other states, Florida does not cap economic or non-economic damages in personal injury cases. However, a few key exceptions apply:
- In medical malpractice cases, non-economic damages are typically limited to $500,000 or $1 million, depending on the circumstances.
- If you are pursuing a personal injury claim against the government, Florida law limits the amount you can recover from a city, county, or state entity to $200,000 per person or $300,000 total.
Your personal injury lawyer carefully reviews the facts of your case to identify any damage caps that may apply. We explore all potential avenues for compensation to maximize your financial recovery after a severe accident.
The Role of Comparative Negligence in Your Personal Injury Case Value
In some cases, the injured party partially causes the accident that results in their injuries. Florida enforces a pure comparative negligence rule in personal injury cases. Under this rule, your compensation decreases based on the percentage of fault you bear for the accident.
Insurance companies often try to shift an unfair portion of blame onto the injured party to reduce their financial liability. An experienced attorney anticipates these tactics and gathers evidence to counter claims that you were at fault for the accident. The legal team at Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers thoroughly investigates your case to minimize comparative negligence’s impact on your claim.
How Long Will It Take to Resolve Your Tampa Personal Injury Claim?
The timeline for resolving a personal injury claim in Tampa varies depending on the unique circumstances of your case. More complex cases and those involving catastrophic injuries or high-dollar damages typically take longer to settle because insurance companies fight these claims more aggressively.
Most personal injury cases in Florida are settled through negotiations with the insurance company. At Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers, we submit a demand letter to the insurer that outlines your injuries and damages in detail. This demand kicks off the settlement negotiation process. If the insurance company refuses to make a fair settlement amount, we may need to file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf.
Filing a lawsuit extends the timeline of your case, but most claims are resolved before trial through continued negotiations or alternative dispute resolution, like mediation. Our attorneys prepare every case as if it will proceed to trial while pursuing the most efficient path to a fair resolution.
We understand the financial strain you face after an unexpected accident. While you may feel tempted to resolve your case as quickly as possible, we advise against accepting a settlement that does not meet your needs. A fast settlement is only worth it if the amount you receive entirely accounts for your losses. Instead, trust your dedicated legal team to fight for the maximum compensation on your behalf.
Get a Free Case Review from a Tampa Personal Injury Attorney
Are you ready to determine what your Tampa personal injury case is worth? Contact the trusted legal team at Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Our attorneys thoroughly review the details of your accident and injuries to provide you with an honest assessment of your claim. We only charge a fee if we recover money for you.
After an accident, you deserve to focus on your healing and recovery, not complex legal proceedings and stressful negotiations. Let a skilled Tampa personal injury lawyer at Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers, with their years of experience, handle your case while you concentrate on improving. Call our office online or at (619) 233-5020 to learn more about how we can assist you.