Frequently Asked Questions from Tennessee Personal Injury Clients

Being involved in some type of accident or injury can obviously be a traumatic and sometimes life-altering event. You may not know what your next step should be. If you have been injured, you may likely have some questions related to your injury. We are frequently asked a number of questions from our clients and potential clients. We have provided our answers to some frequently asked questions related to potential personal injury claims. If you have further questions, contact our team of Tennessee personal injury attorneys at The Higgins Firm.

How much is my case worth?
Although this question is frequently asked, it is not as easy to answer. Every case is different. There are a number of factors that can determine just how much your case may be worth. Assuming that there are not any issues with the liability of the injury, the amount that a case is worth can be determined by five different areas which may include:
• Past medical bills related to the injury • Future medical bills related to the injury • Any wages lost as a result of the injury • The loss of earning capacity as a result of the injury • Any pain and suffering as a result of the injury
However, there is not any certain calculation that can determine exactly how much you may recover. Rather, the true value can be based on the strength of your case. A strong case is typically built upon evidence that demonstrates what happened and why you should recover. The strength of your case can be analyzed by determining whether there may be discrepancies in your testimony, medical records, or any other types of evidence that may negatively affect your case.

In addition, other factors may affect how much your case is worth. One of those factors is the degree of injury that you sustained. Obviously if you have sustained a more severe injury, you are more likely to recover a larger amount due to the type of injury and the cost of recovery. However, other factors could affect the amount that you may be able to recover including whether you were at fault, your employment history, your ability to work, your life expectancy, and your lifestyle.

How long does a personal injury lawsuit last?
It can be hard to determine exactly how long your personal injury lawsuit may last. As stated above, every case is different. Because of that fact, there is not a specific timeline that can be provided. Some cases may last as little as a few months. Other cases may last several years. It often depends on the opposing party’s willingness to settle the case.

Do I need a lawyer?
There are sometimes when you may not even need a lawyer. If you have only suffered minor injuries as a result of a car accident or injury, it may not be cost effective to hire a lawyer. However, there are other times when a lawyer is definitely needed. We encourage you to consider hiring a Tennessee personal injury lawyer if any of these situations apply to you:
• You sustained serious injuries with potential long-term effects.
• The other driver was uninsured or underinsured.
• There is a dispute as to who is at fault for the injury or accident.
• You are feeling pressure from a claims adjuster to agree to a quick settlement.
• You feel that you have not been fully compensated for your past and potential future medical expenses.
• You have questions or believe that the statute of limitations may come into effect before you are able to file a claim.

If you have any other questions related to your personal injury case, we encourage you to contact The Higgins Firm. Our Tennessee personal injury attorneys would be happy to help you.