A smashed-up vehicle offers only a hint at the value that is linked to a car accident case. A good lawyer seeks to expose that value.

Medical expenses

• The expenses that can be found in the existing bills, and those that could arise in the future
• An injured patient could get asked to obtain x-rays of the damaged body part. That would create an additional medical cost.
• A patient in pain could be prescribed pain pills. That would add further to the costs associated with the accident-caused injury.
• Following treatment, a patient might need to undergo rehabilitation. That would create an additional charge.

The consistency of the plaintiff’s statements

The plaintiff has stated certain facts in the police report. Are those same facts found in the statement given to the insurance company? What about the information offered to the examining physician? Evidence of consistency adds to the value of the case.

Is there proof of negligence on the part of the disputing party?

When it is clear who is to blame, the case’s value increases. On the other hand, evidence that the plaintiff might be guilty of comparative negligence reduces the case’s value.

Does the plaintiff have any pre-existing conditions?

A good lawyer should understand how to fight any attempt at using a plaintiff’s pre-existing condition as an excuse for reducing the compensation package for the claimant/plaintiff. That means standing up to any claims that the adjuster makes. Sometimes it helps to have ready access to a medical expert. In that way, a personal injury lawyer in Pittsburg should find it easier to seek an expert’s advice, if the other side makes some wild, unsupported claim.

Did the plaintiff undergo any life changes, as a result of the accident-caused injury?

For instance, did a scar from in a prominent location? That could cause the plaintiff to feel self-conscious about wearing an outfit that would expose the scar.

Was the plaintiff now forced to rely on a wheelchair? Dependence on a wheelchair can create problems, if someone must suddenly adapt to that dependence.

Have the injury’s effects reduced the plaintiff’s ability to earn a living?

Did the plaintiff lose the ability to perform a moneymaking skill?

Did the treatment call for introduction of a device, by surgical means? If that is the case, then the same device could become infected, which would create the need for further surgery. If a resume has too many blank spaces, caused by repeated surgeries, it could become difficult to find a job, if that should prove to be a necessity.

Does the plaintiff need to request special equipment, when performing a task at his or her worksite? Refusal of desired equipment could affect the level of performance.