How to Determine the Value of a Car Accident Claim

Once the attorney has completed the liability and damages investigation, then the  attorney is able to estimate the value of the claim. To demonstrate what that looks like, let’s take the example of the 50-year-old man who was in a car accident. Let’s assume that the insurance company agrees that its driver caused the car accident, but is disputing what should be paid in damages.  Assume the following damages listed below.

Economic Damages:

 Past Lost Wages                                     $5,600.00

Future Lost wages                                 $0.00

Past Out of Pocket Medical Expenses      $1,600

Future Projected Medical Expenses                       $0.00

Past Home Maintenance Costs

Pay to have grass cut 3 months             $750.00

Total Economic Damages:                   $7,950.00

Non-economic Damages

Past Pain and Suffering                           $1,200.00

Eight Months Back Pain

240 days back pain x $5.00 per day

  = $1,200        

Future Pain and Suffering                                   $0.00

Past Embarrassment and Humiliation        $450.00

Walked with cane for three months

  $90 days x $5.00 per day = $450         

Future Embarrassment and Humiliations   $0.00

Past Loss of ability to enjoy                    $120.00

Pleasures of Life

Couldn’t play tennis for 8 months

  Played three times per week

  24 times x $5.00 per time = $120.00

Future Loss of ability to enjoy                  $0.00

Pleasures of Life

Disfigurement                                        $54,750.00

Scar over right eye–life expectancy

  Another 30yrs

 10,950 times x $5.00 per time = $54,750

Total Non-economic Damages: $56,520

TOTAL CLAIM VALUE:  $62,700 ($7,950.00 (economic damages) + $56,520 (non-economic damages) = Total Claim Value, $62,700).

Let’s keep in mind that the $5 figure that I’m using to determine each category of non-economic damages is a guess.  Neither I nor the insurance company lawyer can predict what a jury will decide.  The jury could decide a lesser or greater amount.  However, I can assure you that the insurance company lawyer will try to convince the jury not even to consider the guide on how to do the calculation. Instead, the insurance company lawyer will try to confuse and frustrate the jury so that it will decide little or no money for the non-economic damages.

Want Peace of Mind and a Complete Evaluation of Your Case?

Call (610) 365-4565 NOW or Click HERE to Schedule a Consultation with Chester County Pennsylvania Car Accident Attorney, Michaelangelo L. Dippolito.  Click HERE to see the attorney’s background.

Not Ready to Speak to an Attorney Yet?  No Problem.

Get this FREE Book and Consumer Protection Guide. Anyone who has tried to get an insurance company to pay them money for damages for their car, out-of-pocket medical expenses, lost wages, or for physical injuries, has no idea what they’re up against.  That’s why I wrote the Book, and Consumer Protection Guide, Injured in a Car Accident? What You Need to Know to Protect Your Legal Rights in Pennsylvania.  In that book, I tell you what you need to know to protect your legal rights and avoid the insurance industry’s “Sucker Punch Approach,” which the insurance industry uses routinely on unsuspecting honest people to avoid paying the full value for legitimate car accident claims to maximize their profits.  Here’s some of what’s in the FREE Book and Consumer Protection Guide:

  • Six Reasons the Insurance Industry Doesn’t Want You to Read this Book
  • You Are at War With the Other Person’s Insurance Company–Not the Person who Caused the Car Accident
  • The Insurance Industry’s Sucker Punch Approach
  • How the Insurance Company will Try to Use the Sucker Punch Approach on You
  • Don’t Let Your Family Doctor Intentionally Ruin Your Claim
Click to get your Free Book

Still Not Ready and Want to Learn More Before You Move Forward?  No problem.

Click HERE for more case examples of how the insurance industry tried to use the sucker punch approach on our clients and how we made sure that didn’t happen.

Click HERE for more information on car accidents in Pennsylvania.  And remember, we are just a phone call away at (610) 365-4565.

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I have known Mike Dippolito for 35 years; however, If he didn’t do an exceptional job representing me as a lawyer, I wouldn’t post this review. I hired Mike to represent me in a custody case. Mike clearly explained the steps he would take to prepare my case. As one step led to the next, Mike presented the scenarios we would encounter and he provided the legal basis for what were my best options. There was little emotional component to the decision-making. Mike presented the legal basis for my case and allowed me to make the final decision on how to proceed based on what the case law indicated the likely outcome would be. Ultimately, I never went to court, but the issue was resolved to my satisfaction. I highly recommend The Peoples Law Firm, and Mike Dippolito. The fee structure and methodology were agreed to in advance so there were no surprises. Given the stress of entering into a legal proceeding, I appreciated the lack of drama I had while dealing with my lawyer.

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I have known Mike Dippolito for 35 years; however, If he didn't do an exceptional job representing me as a lawyer, I wouldn't post this review. I hired Mike to represent me in a custody case. Mike clearly explained the steps he would take to prepare my case. As one step led to the next, Mike presented the scenarios we would encounter and he provided the legal basis for what were my best options. There was little emotional component to the decision-making. Mike presented the legal basis for my case and allowed me to make the final decision on how to proceed based on what the case law indicated the likely outcome would be. Ultimately, I never went to court, but the issue was resolved to my satisfaction. I highly recommend The Peoples Law Firm, and Mike Dippolito. The fee structure and methodology were agreed to in advance so there were no surprises. Given the stress of entering into a legal proceeding, I appreciated the lack of drama I had while dealing with my lawyer.

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Very responsive to inquiries and innovative in use of eservices to keep all file documentation and file notes for secure and ready use by clients.

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Mike was great to work with! He was thorough and he made sure I knew he was there to answer any questions and concerns I had. He made the situation we were dealing with very easy and handled it in a very timely manner. I would highly recommend Mike to anyone.

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I’ve known Mike for many years and consulted with him on many legal matters. Most recently, I needed a power of attorney for my son who is in the military. Mike’s system is done all electronically and I was able to log on to a secure portal in his law firm and get the document. I would recommend Mike to anyone who is looking for a professional lawyer.

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I have known Michael for 5 years. I asked him to assist me in a credit issue but he recommended that I call a lawyer specializing in credit and bankruptcy. The legal advice was excellent and the result was a $500 expense to save $4000. I appreciated his assistance. Even though he did not earn any fee from me, his analysis on my situation was accurate. I would recommend him to anyone interested in obtaining a professional lawyer.

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