Whiplash is practically synonymous with car accidents. It’s perhaps the injury most commonly associated with both minor and serious collisions. While not as obviously life-changing as a spinal cord or brain injury, whiplash can linger for far longer than you might expect. It can lead to significant lifestyle changes, limitations at work, and major financial headaches. It’s no wonder so many whiplash victims are left wondering how they can recoup the costs associated with their injuries.
Thankfully, there are a number of online tools and resources to help you better understand the value of your whiplash settlement. Lawsuit Info Center’s whiplash car accident settlement calculator is a great place to start. While no substitute for actual legal advice, the calculator can help give you a ballpark figure that you can work towards in negotiations with the insurance company. Keep reading to learn how to make best use of this helpful tool.
Calculating Damages
To begin, you’ll want to gather all of your bills, receipts and invoices you’ve accumulated in connection with your accident. Anything directly tied to the crash can be included in your calculations. Did you have to be airlifted to the nearest hospital for treatment? The bill can be included in your damages. So too can the cost of the prescription painkillers you’ve been taking since the wreck, as well as the physical therapy sessions you’ve attended each week. Whatever financial damages you’ve sustained because of your accident, be sure to include them in your calculations.
Many accident victims do not realize that they can also recoup the costs of any wages they lost out on because of their wreck. For instance, if you were rear-ended on your way to work and missed your shift because you were hospitalized, the money you would’ve earned that day can be included in your financial damages. Time off for recuperation and medical appointments can also be factored into your calculations. Be sure to gather any documentation you have of the lost wages you missed out on because of the wreck – pay stubs, emails outlining your missed shifts, and letters from your company’s human resource department all suffice.
Multiplying the Costs
Totaling up the financial damages you sustained because of the crash is fairly black and white. After all, accident settlements are all about righting the wrongs of negligent drivers. What’s less obvious, however, are the non-monetary ways in which your whiplash injuries have impacted your life. It’s hard to assign a dollar figure to the pain you endure every time you reach for a glass from the highest shelf in your kitchen, for instance. This is where injury multipliers come into the equation.
When you’re seeking financial compensation from a reckless driver, you may be entitled to additional recompense depending on the severity of your injuries. Rather than trying to work out the exact financial impact of your pain and suffering, you can apply a multiplier of between one and five to your damages. A multiplier of two, for instance, allows victims to double the settlement amount they recoup from the at-fault driver. The more serious the injury, the higher the multiplier number.
It can be difficult to know what multiplier number is appropriate for your specific case, but Lawsuit Info Center’s whiplash car accident settlement calculator can help you understand the possibilities. Generally speaking, soft tissue damage will warrant a lower multiplier than injuries like spinal cord damage, but every case is different. To make sure you are fully informed about the value of your claim, schedule an injury consultation appointment with a local personal injury attorney.
Find a Whiplash Car Accident Lawyer Now
All the calculators in the world can’t replace the legal acumen of an experienced attorney. A consultation can provide you with specific insight into the value of your claim, as well as advice about what steps to take next. In most cases, these appointments are free and non-binding, allowing you to meet with several lawyers to determine the best professional for the job. What’s more, many car accident lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning you won’t pay anything unless the firm recovers a settlement on your behalf.
It’s tough to be your own advocate. The insurance company will look for any reason possible to deny your claim. While we’d like to believe these corporations have our best interests in mind, the reality is that they’re out to turn a profit and satisfy shareholders. Without proper legal representation, fighting for a whiplash settlement can feel like an uphill battle. It’s always a good idea to explore your legal options before pursuing compensation from a negligent driver and their insurance company.
Need help finding the right attorney for your case? Lawsuit Info Center can connect you with experienced lawyers in your area who have had success recovering hefty whiplash settlements from reckless drivers. Reach out today to request your free injury consultation.
