How Much Money Can I Get?
If you have been hurt in a car crash or any other type of accident caused by someone’s careless behavior, you have every right to expect reimbursement to cover your costs. You are not being greedy. You are not taking advantage of the system. You are simply asking for what’s fair: money to pay for medical bills, to cover lost wages and to address other costs associated with your injury. So you may be wondering, “How much is my personal injury claim worth?”
At Merk & Gile, Injury Attorneys, our attorneys understand exactly how important it is for you to get all of the compensation you deserve. Justice is great, but it will not pay your bills. We focus on obtaining the tangible outcome you need to thrive following an injury caused by a car accident or any other act of negligence.
We offer free consultations, during which we can begin calculating the exact value of your case. Call 513-838-2511 or 859-908-1550 to find out what your case is worth.
From our law office in Newport, Kentucky, our lawyers serve injured people throughout the Cincinnati metropolitan area.
Case Study #1
What happened: A rear-end motor vehicle accident left the victim with $44,501.13 in medical bills for neck and back strains and sprains, a concussion and headaches
Initial offer from the insurance company: $3,000
What we did: We started by negotiating the victim’s medical bills down to $4,968.02. Then we demanded policy limits from the at-fault driver’s insurance company as well as from the victim’s own insurance policy.
How much the case was truly worth: $50,000 settlement + $5,000 in Medpay obtained for our client
Is The Insurance Company’s Offer Really Fair?
Do not be surprised to get a call from the insurance company, if you haven’t already. While the insurance adjuster may seem friendly, you should take their comments with a grain of salt. Insurance companies certainly wouldn’t stay in business long if they gave out massive settlements all the time. Often, they will start low, much lower than what your personal injury claim is actually worth. Their hope is that you haven’t done the math so the number they are offering sounds good and you will accept it.
While you definitely have the right to accept that settlement, and many injured people do simply because they want the whole matter done with, it is important to know that you cannot ask the insurer for more if the settlement money runs out before all of the bills associated with the injury are paid.
You may not have even finished healing yet and know that you will have more medical bills in the future to deal with. For this reason, you may find it worthwhile to reach out to an experienced attorney for a free case assessment. That way you can at least know how close to fair the insurance company’s offer really is.
Case Study #2:
What happened: A motorcycle accident left the victim with $54,849.61 in medical bills for a fractured leg and thumb
Initial offer from the insurance company: $87,000
What we did: We started by negotiating the victim’s medical bills down to $22,746. Then we built a case to show how serious the incident was for our client.
How much the case was truly worth: $250,000 settlement obtained for our client
This Is Not Simple Math
On the surface, calculating the amount of compensation in a personal injury claim may seem simple: just add up your medical bills and missed paychecks. However, it’s not quite that simple.
Right now, you are realizing the full financial burden of your injury. Insurance companies are notorious for undervaluing settlements. We help you maximize your personal injury settlement so you can cover your expenses, including:
- Emergency medical services, like ambulance care and emergency room treatment
- Medical treatment, like diagnosis and long-term medical treatments and surgical intervention
- Lost wages, like time away from work due to medical treatment, chronic pain or other needs
- Pain and suffering, including mental and emotional damages
When looking at economic damages like medical bills and lost wages, it is important not to just add up those that have already accumulated, but also those that are likely to be added on in the future. Perhaps your doctor has said that you will need several surgeries to fully heal. Perhaps there will be ongoing physical therapy. In some cases, the injured person is not able to return to their regular job or may not be able to work at all, and that should be figured into the compensation.
Pain and suffering is a form of noneconomic compensation. It’s not something that can just be added up, so often it is missed out. We have the experience to know how much compensation you are entitled to for the pain and suffering you’ve experienced, and we will not let you miss out on this money.
When demanding your complete compensation, you need to work with an experienced and vigorous attorney who will not back down against powerful insurance companies. We will not let them intimidate you or us. And if they are not willing to provide a fair settlement that covers all of your costs, then we can go to trial in pursuit of a verdict that grants you maximum compensation.
Case Study #3
What happened: A dog attack left the victim with $341.60 in medical bills from arm injuries
Initial offer from the insurance company: $0 – claim denied
What we did: We investigated the severity of the case and filed a lawsuit against the insurance company.
How much the case was truly worth: $47,500 settlement obtained for our client
Experienced Personal Injury Representation Starts With A Free Consultation
Work with an attorney who knows the full value of your claim. Our Newport personal injury lawyers are honest about your eligibility and will work hard to help you get the best possible settlement for your injuries. Email our law office or call us at 513-838-2511 or 859-908-1550 .