There is no such thing as an average settlement since there is no “average” accident or injury. Instead, settlements depend significantly on the facts of the case, including your injuries, medical bills, financial losses, and more.
If you were hurt because of another party’s negligence, you may wonder what the average settlement for a personal injury in Alabama is. You know you can hold the at-fault party responsible for their carelessness or bad behavior, but how much money will you get? A personal injury lawyer may be able to help you value your case accurately.
What Factors Affect the Settlement Value of My Personal Injury Case?
You must consider many factors when putting a fair and just settlement value on a personal injury case. If you are working with a law firm, they can handle this valuing process for you, including gathering documentation of your costs and losses. Then, they can calculate your economic damages and put a monetary value on your pain and suffering.
Factors they must consider when doing this include:
The Strength of Your Case
There are several types of personal injury accidents, each caused by someone else’s negligence. The strength of the evidence to prove the other party caused your personal injuries is important because more convincing proof could make it easier to negotiate a settlement.
Some common types of personal injury cases include:
- Traffic accidents
- Slip & fall and other premises liability incidents
- On-the-job injuries
- Offshore injuries
- Wrongful death
- Medical malpractice
- Dangerous drugs
- Defective products
Your attorney will know how to investigate each type of case to prove what happened, who is liable, and what you need to prove to win your case.
How Serious Your Personal Injuries Are
The severity of your injuries will affect many other factors that impact your payout after an incident. This includes:
- Your medical care costs
- Rehabilitation, therapy, and other care expenses
- Future medical needs
- How long you were unable to work
- If you can return to your previous job
- Pain and suffering damages
In general, the more severe your personal injuries, the more your case is worth. For example, someone who suffered a wrist fracture but returned to work six weeks later is highly unlikely to recover as much as someone paralyzed because of a broken neck and cannot work.
Long-Term Impacts of the Accident
Some injuries can affect the victim’s life for years to come. They may require ongoing care and support, need further medical treatment for their injuries, or have lasting pain or mobility concerns. Permanent injuries usually call for additional compensation for damages such as:
- Future medical care
- Ongoing care expenses
- Diminished earning capacity
- Disability and other intangible injuries
Your Role in Causing the Injury
Alabama is one of only four states that bar victims from recovering compensation if there is evidence that they contributed to causing their injuries. Moreover, as affirmed by the Alabama Supreme Court in Golden v. McCurry (1980), you may not receive a settlement at all if the other party can show you shared in fault in any way.
Negotiation Ability
Understanding the value of your case and knowing how to negotiate with the insurance company representatives is a vital part of getting a fair settlement after an injury. This is a significant advantage of working with a personal injury law firm. They will handle this process for you.
If you were a victim of negligence, you might be able to file an insurance claim or sue the at-fault party. This allows you to seek compensation based on the facts of your case.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 537-8185
Is It Necessary to Have a Personal Injury Attorney Manage My Claim in Alabama?
Many personal injury victims in Alabama opt to work with a law firm that can manage their case for them. This includes the investigation, claim, and settlement negotiations. In addition, working with an attorney allows the victim to focus on their injuries, getting back to work, and other steps required to get their life back to normal.
A personal injury attorney can:
- Determine what happened and who is responsible
- Review all relevant insurance policies
- File a claim and provide supporting proof
- Value the claim and demand a fair payout
- Negotiate for a settlement agreement
- Determine if a lawsuit would help the case
If your lawyer does need to sue for compensation, you have up to two years in Alabama under Ala. Code § 6-2-38. Under some circumstances, you may have less time. Victims should get started as soon as their injuries allow because of these constraints.
Our Personal Injury Law Firm Offers Free Consultations to Accident Victims
The Morris Bart law firm has four locations in Alabama, including Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, and Mobile. We help personal injury victims understand their legal options, make a decision about how to pursue compensation, and navigate the process. Let our team review your case for free today. We are a contingency fee law firm.
Call (800) 537-8185 now to discuss your case with a team member today.
Questions?Call (800) 537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
