Have you been injured due to another party’s wrongdoing or carelessness? If so, you may be entitled to compensation for the damages you have sustained. In South Carolina, personal injury law holds parties responsible when their negligence or intentional acts cause harm to another person. A common question that arises from victims is how much their claim is worth. The value of a personal injury claim depends on numerous factors and can vary significantly on a case-by-case basis. Please continue reading to learn the factors that can impact how much your South Carolina personal injury case is worth and why connecting with an experienced Chesterfield County Personal Injury Lawyer is in your best interest.
What Factors Can Influence the Value of a Personal Injury Claim in South Carolina?
Every case is unique, meaning there is no average amount awarded for personal injury cases. Therefore, you will need to assess the unique circumstances of your case with an attorney to calculate an accurate estimate of the damages you have endured. There are typically two kinds of damages you can recover in a personal injury case: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages reflect any out-of-pocket losses. These damages are the easiest to calculate as they represent actual, monetary losses. This may include medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, reflect subjective losses. These damages are difficult to quantify. This may include pain and suffering, permanent disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. Essentially, the more severe your injuries, the more your claim is worth.
In some cases, you may be entitled to punitive damages. Unlike compensatory damages, punitive damages are not awarded to reimburse you for your losses. Instead, they are intended to punish a defendant found guilty of gross negligence and deter others from engaging in similar conduct in the future.
Furthermore, liability also plays a vital role in determining how much a personal injury claim is worth. South Carolina is a modified comparative negligence state, meaning that if you are partially at fault for your injuries, your total compensation will be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault for the accident. However, if you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you will face the absolute bar of recovery.
To increase your chances of recovering the maximum compensation you may be entitled to, it’s in your best interest to contact a dedicated Chesterfield County personal injury lawyer. At the Cockrell Law Firm, P.C., we are prepared to assist you through every step of the complex legal process to come. Connect with our legal team today to learn how we can fight for the compensation you deserve and need to get your life back on track.
