How to Calculate a Car Accident Settlement in California

When you know someone else’s negligence caused your car accident, taking legal action against the negligent party can be the best way to receive a settlement and get your damages covered. Your injuries can result in significant medical expenses, in addition to other financial losses, but it’s not always easy to know the total value of your claim.

Before suing the liable party in your wreck, you should calculate your car accident claim so you have a basic idea of the amount you deserve. Although the amount you end up winning may differ from your calculated number, having a set number in your mind is beneficial. A Sacramento car accident lawyer from Crowell Law Offices can assess your damages and assist you with the calculations.

Assess Your Financial Losses

Financial losses are known as economic damages under the law. When assessing your financial losses, you’ll want to consider more than just your medical expenses. Although medical expenses may be the most significant financial loss you’ve suffered, you can also recover lost wages from missing work, property damage, and future financial losses for medical expenses and lost wages.

How Has the Accident Affected Your Lifestyle?

Non-economic damages consist of non-financial losses you’ve suffered. These non-financial losses are hard to calculate, but many attorneys will use calculations based on financial losses. For example, the court may award you pain and suffering damages at three times the amount of your medical expenses.

Although the jury makes the final decision for the non-economic damages award, you should know which non-financial damages to request. You can claim pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, scarring and disfigurement, and loss of consortium.

Calculate Partial Fault

If you were partially at fault for your accident, you must also determine your percentage of fault and calculate this into your claim. California’s comparative fault law deducts each individual’s percentage of fault from their overall settlement amount.

Reach Out to a Sacramento Car Accident Attorney

Calculating your car accident settlement can be a complex process. An experienced attorney can use strategies to get the most out of your claim. If you’re ready to speak with a Sacramento car accident lawyer from Crowell Law Offices, fill out the contact form below or call 916-303-2800 to schedule a free consultation.