When injured victims file personal injury lawsuits in NJ after their car accidents in Cherry Hill, Marlton or Camden, they often want to know what their cases are worth and how much they may be able to recover. Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer. There is no formula that can calculate the value of a NJ car accident case. However, there are various factors that can affect the value of a NJ car accident lawsuit.
Part 1 of this article discussed how medical records and treatments can affect the value of a personal injury car accident lawsuit. Part 2 will discuss how an injured victim’s daily activities, i.e., what he can and cannot do after the accident impact the value of damages.
Daily Life and Activities – The Importance of the Details
Injured car accident victims need to be able to identify how the accident has impacted their lives. A car accident victim must be able to describe how the car accident has affected his/her life activities as a result of the car accident, i.e., provide a detailed description of specific life changes after the accident.
Compare the following hypotheticals of 2 car accident victims who sustained 2 herniated discs in their necks and their descriptions of how their lives have changed after their car accidents:
Injured driver A complains of pain in his back because of the 2 herniated discs. When he is asked specifically about the pain, he says he feels pain all the time with everything he does, but only provides a couple of examples. He says he feels pain when he sits for too long or when he drives long distances.
Injured driver B also complains of the pain in his back like driver A. However, when asked how his pain affects him, he provides specific details. He describes how the pain in his back prevents him from doing any house chores, such as cleaning, mowing the lawn or doing laundry. He lives alone, so he has to hire someone to help him clean his house. His job is also impacted because he cannot perform his job, which requires him to lift boxes at a warehouse. Therefore, he has not been able to go to work. In addition to not being able to work, he also can no longer pursue his hobbies such as exercising and lifting weights at the gym or going out for a jog.
Even though drivers A and B have the same injuries, driver B will probably do better financially in terms of his damages claim than driver A, who just complained of general pain.
Help After a NJ Car Accident
If you were injured in a car, bus or truck accident in Cherry Hill, Marlton or Camden, call Philip T. Ciprietti, a personal injury lawyer in South Jersey. Mr. Ciprietti will take the time to answer all of your questions and concerns. 800.281.8695
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