These days, there is a common perception that anyone can mobilize the legal system to file a lawsuit against another party. This misconception has led many legal circles to begin seriously discussing the potential for tort reform. 

If you or a loved one have been in a serious accident, it is important to know that there are options for recourse. To help dispel some of the myths, below are some facts about personal injury settlements in Vista, California.

Large vs. Small Payouts

The reality of the current legal landscape is that some cases get large payouts while others do not. In fact, the multi-million dollar settlements you hear about all the time on the news or in commercials are the exception, not the rule. 

The myth that all lawsuits result in massive payouts is simply untrue. In truth, the total payout amount is dependent on a few different factors, such as:

  • The severity of the injuries
  • Whether the accident resulted in permanent impairment
  • The amount of insurance coverage available for compensation
  • The total amount of lost income and projected income loss

As with most complex topics, though, there are a number of bad-faith rumors floating around that tend to muddy the reality of the situation.

Damages Available in Vista Personal Injury Settlements

When someone is injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, they have the right to seek compensation for their injuries. When issuing a fair settlement, the court will consider each of the ways your life has been impacted by the other party’s actions. 

To accomplish that, they will evaluate the evidence of your economic and non-economic damages. Many people are unfamiliar with non-economic damages, in particular. But the truth is that oftentimes, these damages can represent the majority of a claim’s value.

Another myth regards punitive damages and how often they are actually awarded in personal injury cases.

Economic and Non-Economic Damages

Economic damages are financial losses that can be proven through documentation, such as a bank statement or medical bill. Potential economic damages can include any of the following:

In addition to quantifiable material losses, you should also be compensated for non-economic losses, such as the emotional toll that your accident and its resulting financial burdens are taking on you. These non-economic damages can be more difficult to quantify, however, since they do not have immediate financial value and can vary for each person.

Examples of non-economic damages include the following:

Considering the complexities involved in calculating economic and non-economic damages, it helps to take time and maintain accuracy throughout the process. If you have an accident injury attorney by your side, the information you provide will help them as they attempt to maximize the value of your claim.

Punitive Damages

Let’s be honest: Public discourse loves for things to be quick, simple, and easily understandable. As such, many of the nuances of the legal process are incompatible with the typical flow of information. 

For example, when the public hears about a lawsuit with a massive payout, they fail to realize the distinction between compensatory and punitive damages. A big portion of the total sums acquired in larger verdicts represents punitive damages, which are not awarded in all cases.

Punitive damages are typically awarded in instances where the jury believes the defendant behaved in a despicable manner that merits enhanced financial punishment. The damages usually apply to particularly reckless behavior that has the potential to affect large quantities of people.

A Vista Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

Now that it is clear that personal injury settlements are more complicated than popular discourse would make them seem, you can appreciate why it is important to stay organized and stick to the facts in the event of an injury. A personal injury lawyer can be critical to that end, ensuring your rights are maintained and that you undertake your best legal course of action.

Contact the North County Personal Injury Lawyers at Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today

For more information, please contact the Vista personal injury law firm of Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.

We serve in North County, CA and its surrounding areas:

Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers – Vista, CA Office
380 S Melrose Dr. Ste. 201
Vista, CA 92081

(619) 344-0360

Petrov Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers – Oceanside, CA Office
702 Civic Center Drive Ste. 105
Oceanside, CA, 92054

(619) 678-1016