How Much is a Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
Posted in Pedestrian accident,Personal Injury on November 10, 2021
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Tennessee that was caused by the actions of another driver, you will likely be able to recover compensation for your losses. However, there is no set amount of money for how much a pedestrian accident claim is worth. There are various factors related to each particular situation that affects the value of a claim. Here, we will discuss the various types of economic and non-economic compensation available in these cases and how much a person can expect to receive.
Examining Economic Damages in a Pedestrian Accident Claim
Economic damages are also referred to as “special damages” when it comes to injury cases. These are the calculable expenses (expenses that can be added using bills and receipts) that occur after a pedestrian sustains an injury caused by the negligence of another driver. The most common economic damages in these cases include:
- All medical expenses arising due to the accident
- Lost wages if an injury victim cannot work while recovering
- Various household out-of-pocket expenses
- Property damage expenses
The total economic damages recovered as a result of a Tennessee pedestrian accident will vary depending mainly on the severity of the injury in question. What we find is that more severe injuries typically result in larger economic damage payouts.
Examining Non-Economic Damages in a Pedestrian Accident Claim
Non-economic damages are referred to as “general damages” that occur after an injury. These are considered more immeasurable types of expenses because there is no direct way to calculate various types of expenses a person is likely to incur in these situations. For example, there are no bills or receipts that can be added up to calculate a Tennessee pedestrian accident victim’s:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional and psychological trauma
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of consortium for a spouse or family members
The total value of non-economic damages for a Tennessee pedestrian accident claim will also vary and are ultimately based on the total value of the economic losses. Attorneys will often use a “multiplier method” to calculate these losses, which means they will take the total economic losses and multiply that by a set number (usually a number ranging from 1.5 to 5). For example, if a person sustains $50,000 in total economic damages, a multiplier of “three” could be used to reach a $150,000 non-economic total. In this theoretical example, an attorney would ask for $200,000 in compensation for their client.
Working With an Attorney for a Tennessee Pedestrian Accident Case
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a pedestrian accident caused by a negligent driver in Tennessee, reach out to an attorney as soon as possible. A skilled pedestrian accident lawyer in Nashville can handle every aspect of these claims on behalf of their client. This will include conducting a thorough investigation in order to gather all evidence needed to prove liability.
A lawyer will also make sure that their client is treated by a trusted medical professional and evaluated by economic experts who can properly calculate total expected losses. An attorney will engage in vigorous negotiations with the insurance carrier of the other party while also fully preparing the case for trial if necessary.