Personal injury compensation is the financial award you receive after winning a personal injury lawsuit. The amount of money you receive depends on factors such as the severity and extent of your injuries, how long you’ve been out of work, and how much time it takes to heal.
The following factors can increase the value of your lawsuit:
- Catastrophic injuries. The more serious your injuries are—for example, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, paralysis, or permanent disability—the costlier your medical treatment will be and the more your case will be worth.
- Evidence of the other party's fault. An air-tight case against the negligent party will be compensated more generously than if there is any doubt in the role they played.
- Insurance policy limits. Most personal injury cases are only worth as much as the at-fault party is carrying in liability insurance, so the higher their policy limits are, the more money you can get from them.
- Hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer. Working with a personal injury lawyer who knows how to argue a case will increase the value of the claim right out of the gate.
For most people, the first step in maximizing your personal injury compensation is to file a claim as soon as possible after an accident. This is because you have a limited time to file your claim, usually one year from the date of the accident. You can extend this period by filing a “continuation” claim every few months until it expires. However, if you wait too long to file a claim, there is a chance you will lose this opportunity to receive compensation. The sooner you talk to a lawyer, the better!