If you have been seriously injured in an accident, or you have a loved one who was seriously injured in San Diego, you are likely suffering physically, emotionally, and financially. If another party caused the accident, or contributed to the accident, an injured party may be entitled to compensation for the physical and emotional suffering caused by the accident as well as for the financial devastation the accident caused. If you are the victim of a serious bodily injury in San Diego, or you are the loved one of a victim, you probably want to know how long it takes to recover money for your injuries. Because every San Diego serious bodily injury case includes a unique set of facts and circumstances you should consult with an experienced San Diego serious bodily injury attorney for a specific estimate; however, some general information regarding how a settlement is arrived at might be beneficial as well.
A victim can suffer serious bodily injury in any type of personal injury accident. Some common types of accidents in which serious bodily injuries occur include car accidents, slip and fall accidents, trucking accidents, and construction accidents. Serious bodily injuries may include injuries that are potentially life threatening, cause disfigurement or extreme pain, or that cause long-lasting or permanent impairment. As a general rule, cases where the victim suffers serious bodily injury take longer to resolve than the average personal injury accident case because of the complexity and severity of the injuries.
When a victim suffers serious bodily injury, the victim will often have to live with the injuries for an extended period of time, even for life. Before the victim can recover for those injuries from the at-fault, or negligent, party, the extent of the injuries must be documented and the value determined. This can take a significant amount of time, thereby delaying the recovery. Although this can be frustrating for the victim, resolving a serious bodily injury case too soon can result in the victim losing out on compensation to which he or she is entitled.
Before a fair settlement amount can be determined, a victim must be sure that all his/her injuries have been identified and a future prognosis obtained for those injuries. Because serious bodily injuries are often injuries that will never completely heal it is crucial to consider the future costs of treating the injury before agreeing to a settlement. In addition, determining the non-economic value of a serious bodily injury can be difficult; yet, because that portion of the settlement is frequently a substantial amount it is important to take the time to properly value this portion of the settlement amount.
In summary, the severity and complexity of serious bodily injury cases typically means that it will take more time to recover money than it does in the average personal injury case; however, by working closely with an experienced San Diego serious bodily injury accident attorney you will ensure that you don’t settle for anything less than a full and fair settlement for your injuries.