How Much Is My New Orleans Personal Injury Claim Worth?

When you’re injured in a New Orleans accident and someone else is at fault, you may know that taking legal action can win you a settlement and help you relieve the financial burden of your medical expenses. However, lawsuits take time and energy to pursue, so the big question is whether filing a claim is worth your time and effort.

To determine whether you should file a New Orleans personal injury claim, it’s important to assess the value of your claim. To calculate your claim value, you must know who the at-fault party is in your accident, how much fault you shared, and what damages you can recover. Discussing your case with a New Orleans personal injury lawyer from Smiley Injury Law, LLC is a helpful place to start.  

Did You Share Fault in Your Accident?

The liable party in your accident may be an individual, a company, or a government entity. Understanding your percentage of fault in relation to other liable parties in your accident is essential in calculating your claim value.

Louisiana has a comparative negligence law that allows all at-fault parties to recover compensation for damages, but the court will deduct your percentage of fault from your settlement. For example, if you’re 10 percent responsible for your accident, your settlement will be reduced by 10 percent.

Assessing Your Damages

Your damages will ultimately determine the settlement you receive. You can recover compensation for economic damages, which include medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. You can also recover compensation for non-economic damages, which include pain and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, and scarring and disfigurement. 

Contact a New Orleans Personal Injury Attorney

Knowing the monetary value of your claim seems like a complex concept, but when you hire an experienced attorney, they can do the hard work for you. If you’d like to discuss the details of your case with a New Orleans personal injury lawyer from Smiley Injury Law, LLC, fill out the contact form below or call 504-894-9653 to schedule a free consultation.