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Every single personal injury claim is unique, and no two claims are exactly alike. A major
difference is how much you may be entitled to in a settlement. In some cases, little damage is
involved. As a result, the monetary amount for such settlement would be relatively low.
Contrarily, some personal injury cases involved hundreds of thousands or even millions of
dollars in damages.
Many plaintiffs fail to realize how much their claim is truly worth. Hence, why it is very
important to contact a Jacksonville personal injury attorney to discuss your case. The attorneys at
Nooney, Roberts, Hewett & Nowicki can help you answer the following questions and concerns
to determine how much money you should demand for in your personal injury claim:
▪ What are my economic damages?
▪ What are my non-economic damages?
▪ How severe are my injuries?
▪ Who is liable or at fault for the accident?
▪ What are the insurance policy limits?
Your Economic Damages
When we mention economic damages, we refer to the losses from the accident of injury with a
definite monetary value. Economic damages are the foundation of most personal injury claims
and subsequent settlements. Your personal injury settlement should furnish adequate
compensation for the following economic damages:
▪ Medical expenses, including current medical bills and any care that you will need in the
future
▪ Lost wages
▪ Any other out-of-pocket expenses you incur as a result of your injuries, such as the cost
of traveling for medical treatment, personal household care, assistive devices, etc.
Receipts, bills, and other documents provide important evidence of the economic damages in
your personal injury claim. Make sure to conserve them and all paperwork that establishes a
financial loss.
Your Non-Economic Damages
Personal injury victims who handle cases on their own are oftentimes unaware of the full extent
of damages to which they are entitled to. Many of them are not aware that there are other types
of damages that are also compensable in personal injury claims, such as non-economic damages.
As the word infers, non-economic damages do not correspond to actual economic losses. Instead,
they represent the negative impact an accident or injury has on your well-being and quality and
enjoyment of life. Examples of non-economic damages include:
▪ Pain and suffering—the mental toll of physical and psychological trauma
▪ Emotional distress
▪ Disability
▪ Disfigurement and scarring
▪ Loss of consortium—the right of companionship with one’s husband or wife
There is no one-size-fits-all equation for calculating non-economic damages. Insurance
companies often take advantage of this, making extremely low settlement offers or offering no
compensation at all.
If the insurance makes a low settlement offer, it is time to contact a personal injury lawyer.
Knowledgeable attorneys, such as Nooney, Roberts, Hewett & Nowicki’s legal team of experts,
can examine all the evidence and gather expert testimony supporting your claim.
Seriousness of Your Injuries
You only get one chance to resolve your personal injury claim. If you accept a settlement and the
amount doesn’t ultimately cover your losses, you will not be able to pursue additional
compensation.
A very important consideration is how the injury sustained will affect your life in the long term.
A rule of thumb is: The more serious the injury, the more serious the impairment and the longer
it (and the subsequent damages) will last.
Therefore, it is imperative to collect evidence that proves the seriousness of your injuries. This is
especially true if you were injured in a motor vehicle accident because suffering a serious injury
is a necessary condition for bringing a claim.
Strong and compelling evidence of serious injury and long-term or permanent disability is
crucial for negotiating a fair and equitable personal injury settlement. Without evidence, the
insurance company is likely to make a very low offer or even deny your claim.
Who is at Fault for Your Injuries?
Florida has implemented a comparative negligence statute for personal injury claims. The law
allows claimants (or plaintiffs) to recover compensation even if they are partly responsible for
the injury or accident but reduces damages according to their level of fault.
If you are accused of having partial fault, it can lead the insurance company to offer a low
settlement or even dispute liability for your injuries. If the evidence shows that you are partially
at fault, you may be forced to settle for less. However, if you are not at fault and the insurance company is simply trying to avoid paying what you are owed, it is important to hire our law firm to fight for all the compensation you deserve.
Never commit the mistake of admitting fault or apologizing for an accident. Such an admission
can be difficult to overcome, even if your lawyer obtains evidence showing that the opposing
party in your case is to be at fault.
Your Insurance Policy Limits
Virtually every personal injury claim will involve negotiating with an insurance company.
Whether it is a claim against the at-fault party’s auto insurance, residential or commercial
property insurance, or general liability insurance, one fact remains the same: Insurers will not
offer to settle a claim beyond the insured’s policy limits.
However, if your losses exceed the available insurance coverage, the carrier is not necessarily
“off the hook.” You are still entitled to compensation for the damages you have sustained, but
you may need to file a lawsuit and go to court to get the full amount you deserve.
Contact Our Personal Injury Attorneys Today
If you try to handle a personal injury claim on your own, you are at risk of sabotaging your
personal injury claim. Hiring an experienced team of attorneys is essential for maximizing the
compensation you deserve.
At Nooney, Roberts, Hewett & Nowicki, our aggressive attorneys are committed to pursuing full
compensation for your personal injury damages. We are often able to negotiate fair settlements
on behalf of our clients, but we never hesitate to take a case to court if it means achieving a
superior outcome for you.
Please contact Nooney, Roberts, Hewett & Nowicki by calling (904) 398-1992 to speak to a
personal injury lawyer that serves clients in Duval County including Atlantic Beach,
Jacksonville, and Jacksonville Beach; Clay County including Green Cove Springs, Keystone
Heights, Lakeside, Middleburg, and Orange Park; Flagler County including Palm Coast; Nassau
County including Callahan, Fernandina Beach, and Yulee; Putnam County including Interlachen
and Palatka; and St. Johns County including Fruit Cove, Palm Valley, Ponte Vedra Beach, St.
Augustine, and St. Johns.
Your initial consultation is free. Take advantage of it!
