If you or someone you love was injured in an e-bike accident, you might be wondering how much your settlement will be worth. This is common for many victims who are struggling to pay their medical bills and make ends meet while recovering from an unexpected injury. Speaking with an experienced Orange County e-bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible after your accident will help give you an idea of what your settlement is worth. The value of your settlement depends on many factors.
Your Damages
Damages are the losses, inconveniences, and other ways you are impacted due to your accident. The financial recovery you receive is primarily based on the damages you sustained. Economic damages are easy to calculate and include things like your current and expected future medical expenses, lost wages and income, and your attorney fees.
Your non-economic damages are subjective since they do not have a predetermined value. They include things like:
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Mental anguish
- Humiliation
- Loss of a body part or bodily function
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Parties with more severe or catastrophic injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI) or spinal cord injuries (SCI), will receive more compensation for both their economic and non-economic losses. Likewise, if your damages will impact you far into the future- for example, they will prevent you from going back to your previous job or require you to have help with personal care, they will be worth more.
Other Recent Cases
The value of your settlement will also depend on other recent settlements and court awards in your area. The insurance adjuster and attorneys for the party responsible for your injuries will look at some of these cases to help determine how much they should offer you as a settlement.
Who Has Fault in the Accident?
If you are partially at fault for your e-bike accident, your claim will be worth less. On the other hand, if multiple parties were at fault, it could be worth more. The types of parties your claim is against can also impact the value of the settlement you are offered. For example, if your claim is against someone who stole a vehicle and has little or no auto insurance coverage, you will likely receive less than if it’s against a delivery truck driver who was on the clock at the time of the accident.
The Experience and Skills of Your E-Bike Attorney
The experience and skills of your e-bike attorney can also impact the amount of your settlement. For example, if you have an experienced attorney with advanced negotiation skills, they will likely garner higher compensation than an attorney who does not. In some e-bike injury cases, the injured party and their attorney must be willing to litigate the claim to receive its full value. Sometimes, if the injured party and their insurance company know that your attorney will take the case to court if necessary, it can help increase your settlement offer. Typically, they want to avoid going to trial as it is riskier for them, requires more time and money, and could tarnish their reputation.
Contact a Skilled E-Bike Attorney Today
To learn more about your rights and what your claim could be worth, contact a skilled e-bicycle attorney today. Waiting too long to hire an attorney can decrease the value of your claim.
