Posted in MVA
After a motor vehicle accident, one of the first questions people ask is what their claim might be worth. The value depends on the injuries, the losses, and the specific facts of what happened.
The Two Sides of a Claim’s Value
Most accident claims break down into two categories of damages. Economic damages cover the losses you can document with a bill or a receipt. Non-economic damages account for the harm that has no invoice attached, such as pain or a reduced quality of life.
Economic damages often include:
- Emergency care, surgery, and ongoing medical treatment
- Future medical costs tied to the injury
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Vehicle repair or replacement
- Out-of-pocket costs like medication and travel to appointments
Non-economic damages are harder to measure. They cover physical pain, emotional distress, and the disruption an injury brings to daily life. Two people with similar injuries can recover very different amounts here, because the effect on each life is different.
What Moves the Number Up or Down
Several factors shape the final figure. The severity of the injury is the largest one. A broken bone that heals is valued differently than a permanent disability. Other elements matter too.
The Strength of the Evidence
Clear documentation tends to support a higher recovery. Medical records, photos from the scene, and witness accounts all help establish what happened and how badly you were hurt.
Virginia’s Contributory Negligence Rule
This is where Virginia differs sharply from most states. If you are found even slightly at fault for the crash, you may be barred from recovering anything. That single rule can decide whether a claim has value at all.
Available Insurance Coverage
A claim is only as collectible as the coverage behind it. Policy limits can cap what you actually recover, even when your losses run higher.
The Deadline That Can Erase a Claim’s Value
Even a substantial claim can lose all value if it is not filed within the legal deadline.
Under Virginia Code Section 8.01-243, most injury claims must be brought within two years of the accident. Miss that window and the court can dismiss the case regardless of how strong it was.
How a Lawyer Strengthens Your Claim’s Value
Valuing a claim accurately takes more than adding up bills. An Arlington MVA lawyer can project future costs, account for non-economic harm, and push back when an insurer undervalues what you went through. Insurers rarely lead with their best offer, and an early number is often far below what a case is worth.
If you want a clear read on your situation, an Arlington, VA MVA lawyer can review the facts and explain what your claim may realistically recover.
The attorneys at Cohen & Cohen represent injured people across Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC, with more than $300 million recovered for clients firm wide. If you are unsure what your claim is worth, getting an informed assessment early can keep you from settling for less than your losses justify. Reach out to talk through the details of your accident and what comes next.
