How Much Is My Chicago Car Accident Claim Worth?

 Posted on September 16, 2024 in Car Accidents

In 2022, there were 158,044 motor vehicle crashes in Cook County, IL. Many of those collisions produced injuries, and others caused fatalities. When someone else causes a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation.

How much will your settlement be? What damages are covered? For an accurate evaluation, call an experienced lawyer from Winters Salzetta O'Brien & Richardson, LLC to discuss your case. Although we cannot give you a one-size-fits-all answer, we can use case-specific factors to calculate the damages you deserve and work diligently to help you receive the highest allowable amount.

What Factors Are Used To Determine Car Crash Settlement Amounts?

Every accident is different, and no two settlements are the same. Your accident, injuries, and their impact on your life are unique. In Illinois, many injured car accident victims are eligible to receive compensatory damages, which are classified as economic and non-economic damages in a personal injury claim. A few victims may also be awarded punitive damages.

Economic damages are tangible losses related to specific accident-related expenses, including:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Loss of income and earning capacity
• Property damage
• Costs associated with ongoing care and necessary domestic assistance

For severe injuries, you may need long-term care and medical treatment, and you may be unable to return to work. You might need home renovations and alternate transportation to accommodate a new disability. Once you have reached the point of maximum medical improvement, we can better calculate your anticipated future losses.

Your attorney from Winters Salzetta O'Brien & Richardson, LLC will look at the exact dollar amounts of these losses when totaling your damages.

Non-economic damages are intangible losses resulting from your accident and injuries, such as pain and suffering, disfigurement, disability, and loss of society. Because these damages are subjective, the general rule of thumb is that the more severely these losses affect you, the more compensation you deserve.

Liable insurers are usually reluctant to pay fair amounts, particularly for non-economic damages. If you handle your case alone or choose an inexperienced attorney, you may settle for less than you deserve. After you accept a settlement offer, it is legally binding, and you cannot obtain additional damages. When you partner with Winters Salzetta O'Brien & Richardson, LLC, we will negotiate aggressively to reach a favorable settlement amount.

What If You Are Partially Responsible for Your Crash?

Illinois’s modified comparative negligence laws allow you to obtain a settlement from other at-fault parties if you are less than 51 percent at fault. If your assigned percentage of fault is more than 51 percent, you are barred from receiving compensation.

If you qualify, your damages will be reduced by your fault percentage. Suppose you are 20 percent at fault for your car accident. The most you can receive is 80 percent of your total damages. Insurance companies often manipulate your degree of fault, hoping to minimize or eliminate your payout. Your legal team from Winters Salzetta O'Brien & Richardson, LLC will fight to keep these insurance companies from taking advantage of you.

Call Now To Speak With Our Diligent Chicago, IL Car Accident Lawyers

If you hope to receive a maximum settlement amount, you need an effective lawyer to protect your best interests. At Winters Salzetta O'Brien & Richardson, LLC, our award-winning team has extensive experience and an impressive track record winning cases like yours. Call us at 312-236-6324 for your free consultation with our dedicated Cook County, IL personal injury attorneys.