How much is my personal injury case worth?

It’s impossible to calculate how much a personal injury case is worth. There are so many variables that can affect your case that we can’t even give you a ballpark figure until we talk to you in person. That’s part of the reason we offer free case evaluations.

However, there are two ways to think about this question before you schedule a consultation. First, look at your compensable damages. You can receive compensation for:

  • Current and expected future medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Diminished earning ability
  • Noneconomic damages like loss of quality of life, permanent disability, and pain and suffering

Once you have looked at those damages, you can look at our record of successful cases to see what we have been able to get for previous clients and see if any of them are similar to your case. These previous cases are not a guarantee or promise that you can get that level of compensation, just a way to think about the question.

How do I know if I have a personal injury case?

There are three main questions you have to ask to determine whether you have a personal injury case or not:

  • Did I suffer an injury to my person? Your injury can be physical or psychological.
  • Was someone else at fault for your personal injury?
  • Do you have compensable damages? (See above.)

If you can answer “yes” to all three questions, you may have a personal injury case.

Can I get compensation even if an accident was partly my fault?

Yes! California uses a system of compensation known as comparative negligence that allows you to receive compensation for an accident that was even 99% your fault. However, your compensation will be reduced by the degree of your fault. So if you were 99% responsible for your accident, you would only be able to receive compensation for 1% of your damages.

Do I need an attorney to handle my personal injury case?

Any time you suffer personal injury, you should talk to an attorney about your case. As noted above, compensation for personal injury cases can be complicated, and until you talk to an attorney, no one giving you advice about your case is on your side. Insurance companies, their adjusters and lawyers, and the other party or parties in your accident, all want to pay you less than your claim is worth.

A free consultation with a personal injury attorney will help you understand what the full extent of your damages are and how they compare to settlement offers you receive.

Do I still have a case if the damages I suffered were minor?

Mr. Fine would need to discuss your case with you in person to determine whether you have a valid personal injury case. But in general, if your injury was caused by the negligent actions of another, you may be entitled to recover compensation even when the damages suffered were very minor.

However, if the total damages associated with your injury are less than $7,500, you may be better off filing your case in small claims court. This will speed up the process and ultimately save you money since you won’t need to pay a portion of your small monetary recovery to a lawyer. Please read our Filing a Small Personal Injury Claim in California page to learn how to initiate your small claims case.

Why should I choose the Law Offices of Mickey Fine for my personal injury case?

At the Law Offices of Mickey Fine, we have the expertise to handle many types of personal injury cases, from car accidents to dog bites to wrongful death.  Other attorneys refer their personal injury cases to the Law Office of Mickey Fine.  Our office prides ourselves on providing the best possible service to our clients and working hard to get the results our clients deserve. Our skills have been honed by representing personal injury clients for over 30 years all over California and other states.  We believe we can get the desired results without any compromising of our integrity.

For a free evaluation of your personal injury case in Bakersfield, California, please contact the Law Offices of Mickey Fine today.