No one ever plans for a life-altering accident. It is always sudden, unexpected, and it changes everything. The aftermath of an accident is often worse than the event itself. This includes anything from physical pain to medical bills and lost wages or opportunities.
So if a terrible, life-altering accident has made you wonder ‘How much is my personal injury case worth in California?,’ you are not alone in asking this question.
It is a fair question to ask, considering the stress you’ve been through.
The answer, however, is complicated. There is no magic number that an attorney can quote. Every case is unique. A personal injury attorney can help you figure out how much your case is worth and fight for you to get every dollar you deserve.
What Determines the Value of a Personal Injury Case in California?
The first step in determining the value of a personal injury case is to look at the key details of the accident, the injury, and the recovery.
Here are some things the attorney might ask you about:
Severity of Injuries
The severity of your injuries will determine the value of your case. This is because a sprained wrist is not as serious an injury as a broken spine or a brain injury.
The medical bills are also higher for more serious injuries. Severe injuries also mean longer recovery times and greater lost wages.
Medical Bills & Future Treatments
While the severity of your injuries is an important consideration, sometimes it’s the number of doctor visits and the cost of ongoing treatment that adds value to your case. For example, a brain injury is much more serious than a fracture, but if you suffer a fracture, you may have to pay for physical therapy sessions, which will cost you more in the long run.
You shouldn’t have to bear the cost of injuries or the therapy that comes after, so your attorney will most likely include these expenses in your settlement.
1. Severity of Injuries
The severity of your injuries will determine the value of your case. This is because a sprained wrist is not as serious an injury as a broken spine or a brain injury.
The medical bills are also higher for more serious injuries. Severe injuries also mean longer recovery times and greater lost wages.
2. Medical Bills & Future Treatments
While the severity of your injuries is an important consideration, sometimes it’s the number of doctor visits and the cost of ongoing treatment that adds value to your case. For example, a brain injury is much more serious than a fracture, but if you suffer a fracture, you may have to pay for physical therapy sessions, which will cost you more in the long run.
You shouldn’t have to bear the cost of injuries or the therapy that comes after, so your attorney will most likely include these expenses in your settlement.
3. Lost Wages & Impact On Your Future
Another factor that can increase the value of your claim is the income you lost due to your injuries. If your injuries prevented you from returning to your previous job, or if you missed a valuable job opportunity because you couldn’t attend the interview, you may be entitled to compensation.
In these situations, your lawyer will calculate the total loss of your earning potential and include it in your settlement claim.
4. Comparative Negligence
The comparative negligence rule is used when multiple parties are at fault, including the victim filing the claim. If you are partially responsible, you might actually receive a reduced percentage of your claim. So, if your fault was 20%, you could recover 80% of your damages.
5. Pain and Suffering
Victims often experience psychological consequences after an accident. This means you are not only suffering from physical pain, but stress, anxiety, or even PTSD from the event. And yes, this also affects a large part of your claim.
Understanding Pain and Suffering Damages
One of the most complex aspects of personal injury cases is the psychological impact it has on victims and their families.
This includes stress, sleepless nights, and anxiety about getting behind the wheel. This is not just a physical injury that heals in weeks; it can leave a lasting mental scar.
When pain and suffering are added to the calculation of your compensation, here’s how it looks.
Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages
Under California law, the compensation is divided into two main categories.
Economic Damages:
This includes the damages that cover all things measurable. Your medical bills and property damage will be counted as economic damages.
Non-Economic Damages:
This includes pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment in daily life—intangible harms that still affect your claim.
How Lawyers Calculate Pain & Suffering
In California, there is no hard cap on pain and suffering damages for personal injury cases. Aside from the occasional medical malpractice case, you don’t have to worry about hitting the legal limit on what you can receive from personal injury cases.
Lawyers will use the following methods to determine what fair compensation is for you.
Multiplier Method:
First, you add up your economic damages. This includes medical bills, therapy costs, and lost wages. Then multiply the total number by a multiplier.
A multiplier is a number used to describe the severity of your injury and how life-changing it was. It usually ranges from 1.5 for minor injuries and 5 for severe or permanent injuries.
Per Diem Method:
This method requires that you assign a daily dollar amount to your pain and suffering, which is then multiplied by the number of days you were affected. So, if your daily pain is valued at $100 and you experience pain for 30 days, your total damages would be $3000.
If you choose to work with Malibu Injury Lawyer on this case, you don’t have to worry about the numbers. You just tell us your full story and the extent of pain and suffering you went through. We take care of the rest.
What to Expect From Personal Injury Settlements in California
At Malibu Injury Lawyer, one of the most common questions we get from our clients is ‘How much money will I get?’ The answer varies.
There is no single “average” that we can give our clients because every case is unique.
However, looking at typical ranges can be helpful:
- Car Accidents: $25,000 to $100,000
- Slip-and-Fall Accidents: $15,000 to $45,000
- Pedestrian or Motorcycle Accident: $10,000 to $500,000
- Workplace or Employment Related Injuries: $2,000 to $100,000
We fight to secure a settlement that reflects the full picture, not just your bills, but how the accident affects the quality of your life.
Ready to Find Out What Your Case is Worth?
If you want compensation, don’t guess; leave it to the experts. Malibu Injury Lawyer offers you a free consultation where we review every aspect of your case and guide you on the next steps. This includes giving you our honest opinion about what you are entitled to.
Call us today so we can begin building your case and fighting for the compensation you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is my personal injury case worth in California?
Every person’s case is unique. You can estimate how much your personal injury case is worth by looking at the injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and the extent of the anguish suffered.
How long will it take to settle my case?
Processing a personal injury case can take a few months to a year. If the case is more complex and the parties go to trial, the case may take even longer.
What factors affect personal injury case value in California?
The severity of injuries, medical costs, and lost wages are all factors that affect personal injury case value in California.
Do I have to pay up front for a lawyer?
Most personal injury law firms don’t charge you for consultations. At Malibu Injury Lawyer, we work on a contingency basis, so you only pay if you win.
Can I still get compensation if I was partially at fault?
Yes, under California law, you can get compensation even if you were partially at fault. The compensation, however, will be reduced depending on the percentage of your fault.
How much can I get for pain and suffering damages in California personal injury cases?
There is no fixed cap for personal injury cases unless it is a medical malpractice case.
What if I need future medical care?
You can include future medical care in your settlement to cover ongoing treatment, rehab, or therapy.
What types of cases do you handle?
At Malibu Injury, we handle car wrecks, motorcycle crashes, rideshare incidents, and slip-and-fall accidents.
When should I contact a lawyer after an accident?
You should contact Malibu Injury Lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner you call the attorney, the stronger your case will be.
Will my case go to trial?
Most cases are settled out of court, but we are prepared to represent you in court if needed.
