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When you’ve suffered serious injuries caused by somebody’s careless behavior, you’ll probably want to resolve the matter quickly. After all, you have other things to focus on — overcoming the trauma, getting back to work, and resuming your daily activities.
There’s a natural desire to finalize the legal process and start putting your life back together. But it’s important to be patient and make sure your injuries have completely healed before accepting a settlement, or resolved to a point when your medical providers know your long-term prognosis.
Once you settle, your case is closed, and you won’t be able to go back and ask for more money. Your injuries may grow worse over time, so it’s best to let your medical treatment run its course before you settle so you’ll know the full extent of your medical expenses and the effect the accident will have on your life.
Factors That Impact Your Total Cost of Recovery
The purpose of a personal injury case is to recover financial compensation for all of the losses and injuries you have suffered. You were harmed by another person’s negligent actions, and it’s only fair that they should pay for it.
The first offer you get from an insurance company is usually the lowest. The other side will try to tempt you with an offer that’s probably not in your best interest. And you can’t make a reasonable decision until you know how much your recovery is going to cost.
There are several factors to consider when determining your total expenses including:
- Current and future medical bills
- Reduced earning capacity
- Hospital stays
- Lost wages
- Disfigurement
- Rehabilitation
- Physical therapy
- In-home nursing care
- Modifications to your home and car to accommodate your injuries
It’s important to find a personal injury attorney who knows how to calculate the true cost of your injuries and negotiate diligently on your behalf.
Taking the Time You Need to Get Better
In California, the statute of limitations for a personal injury lawsuit, in most situations, is two years. In some instances, the statute of limitations is one year. The statute of limitations when suing a government entity is only six months. Your lawyer can file a claim and continue to negotiate until you have a clear idea of how much money you’re going to need. Your options are open until you sign a release or settlement agreement.
Once you sign a release agreement, the other side is released from further liability. But your medical recovery can be a slow process. Sometimes there are setbacks, including indirect injuries that may occur during medical treatment or rehabilitation.
Many types of injuries can be unpredictable, and the full extent of the damages aren’t always apparent right away. For example, the devastating long-term effects of back injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and whiplash may prove to be severe over time.
Were You Harmed by Someone’s Careless Actions?
An experienced personal injury attorney knows how to weigh your options and help you get the best possible result. At NordstrandBlack PC, we handle all types of personal injury cases. Some of the more common injuries we see in our office include:
- Automobile crashes
- Dog bites
- Truck accidents
- Slip and fall injuries
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
Our experienced trial attorneys at NordstrandBlack PC have been recognized for excellence with a perfect 10.0 rating from Avvo and the AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
Call (805) 962-2022 to schedule a FREE consultation today. You won’t owe us anything unless we win you a settlement or judgement.