If you’re thinking about filing a personal injury case, you may wonder how much in compensation you can expect. Although the settlement amount varies by region, you can expect at least mid-five figures if you’ve been seriously harmed in Casper, Wyoming. Additionally, there are several actions you can take to make sure you get the best outcome possible, such as collecting all the relevant evidence and hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer.
What Is a Personal Injury?
Before discussing how much you can expect from your case, let’s briefly define what constitutes a personal injury. When this topic comes up, many people think of car accidents, but there is a great number of other reasons why you might be able to make a claim. In essence, you have a right to compensation any time someone causes you harm due to their own negligence.
This includes if you are directly injured by the person in a violent incident, if you are in contact with dangerous objects such as knives if you fall, slip, or trip, or if someone’s pet injures you. All of these can cause significant damage that affects many areas of your life, such as your ability to work and to take care of your loved ones. That’s why you should get compensated for your physical and emotional pain and the losses you incurred as a result of others’ negligence.
Average Settlement Amount
Now that you know what it means to file a personal injury case, you may wonder how much money you can expect to gain. There are usually three types of damages you can receive: economic, non-economic, and punitive. The first type is easiest to quantify because it is any money you lost as a result of the incident. This may include the medical bills of your treatment, damage to your property, or lost wages due to an inability to work.
Non-economic damages are subjective losses and include things like anguish, pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of your life. Many types of personal injury cases are very stressful and can have long-lasting emotional consequences for you and your loved ones, and you can gain compensation for this. Finally, you may be able to claim punitive damages if the negligence is so reckless that the judge believes the perpetrator needs to be punished for it.
In the USA
Different publications claim different numbers when it comes to the average settlement amount in the US. In a poll by NOLO, 70% of readers received a payout, and the average amount was over $52,000. More than two-thirds of the amounts were between $3,000 and $75,000, so it is reasonable to expect that your numbers will fall somewhere in this bracket unless your case is out of the ordinary.
Keep in mind that there are an endless number of different personal injury cases, so your figures may look very different from those of someone else. Also, your compensation will depend on the defendant’s level of assets or insurance, as you can’t claim something that doesn’t exist. When you contact an experienced attorney, they will be able to evaluate your case and give you more details about what to expect in your particular situation.
In Casper, Wyoming
In Wyoming, you are entitled to compensation if you are harmed by someone’s wrongful actions, and you may be able to claim for any or all of the three types of damages mentioned above. Although the amount received for a personal injury case varies significantly, you are likely to recover the costs of the accident or damage you incurred. On average, a Wyoming car accident costs around $4,400, but in severe cases, this increases to almost $94,000.
It’s also important to remember that you cannot claim if you are deemed to be more than 50% at fault, particularly in a car accident. In case the other driver is more than 50% at fault, you will be able to claim, but the percentage of your own fault will be deducted from the settlement.
How to Increase Your Settlement Amount
Although the amount you will receive is heavily dependent on your individual case, there is a lot you can do to make sure you get the best result possible. The most important step is the first one: hiring a competent and experienced attorney who will be able to analyze your case and help you to lay it out well.
You will also need to get the necessary medical treatment, collect sufficient evidence of both the damage and the resulting negative consequences, file your case as quickly as possible to make sure you don’t miss an important deadline, and make a positive impression on the judge if your case goes to trial. Your chosen attorney can help you with all of these points.
Hiring a Competent Personal Injury Lawyer
Although it’s an initial expense, your lawyer will be well worth the money, as you may receive thousands more than you otherwise would when you hire an experienced professional. This will also allow you to go into the process with realistic expectations. Most people don’t have any experience filing personal injury claims and may feel worried, confused, and insecure.
Having a dedicated professional by your side will allow you to know what to expect and to feel calmer about the process. What’s more, your lawyer will help you to present the case in the best possible light.
Collecting Evidence
When it comes to receiving maximum compensation, having a clear record of what occurred is crucial. The more evidence you can preserve, the clearer your case will be, which makes it much easier for the jury to make a decision. This can include photo, video, eyewitness, and written evidence. Also, make sure to exchange contact information with the other parties involved if you are able to.
It’s crucial that you collect records of the costs you incurred as a result of the incident. This may include, but is not limited to, medical bills, damage to your property, and a loss of income. If you provide all of this information, it will be easy for the court to decide in your favor.
Getting Medical Treatment
Don’t avoid or delay getting the treatment you need, as you will most likely be covered for it. When you go to your doctor or the hospital, keep all the receipts and if possible, take some photos of your injuries. This will make the case much clearer and will prove that you incurred damages as a result of the incident.
Filing Quickly
In Wyoming, you can file a lawsuit for four years after the initial date of the injury. But if you have lost a significant amount of money or quality of life, it doesn’t make sense to wait so long. While your case may take only a few weeks, it could be a year or more if it is more complex. To avoid further delays, contact your attorney as soon as you have recovered sufficiently to be able to function.
Making a Good Impression
Finally, you will need to make a good impression because the jury will make their decision based on what they hear and see from you and the defendant. As long as you appear serious and your damages are genuine, you should receive an adequate settlement. To maximize this and make sure that you appear in a good light, take all of your lawyer’s advice.
A personal injury is a stressful and often traumatic event, so you’ll want to receive the best compensation possible. Although cases vary wildly, a competent personal injury lawyer will be able to get you a settlement in the five or even six figures. Call Ochs Law Firm in Casper, Wyoming today to find out how Jason E. Ochs and his team can help you.
