How Personal Injury Lawyers Determine the Value of Your Case

Many people who sustain injuries in accidents caused by other people’s carelessness will decide to pursue personal injury claims; if they do, one of the first things they need to know is how much their case may be worth. That answer can shape a person’s choices, future, and ability to recover with dignity. However, the process is far more complex than most people realize. Understanding how personal injury lawyers evaluate the value of your case is critical to making informed decisions and avoiding undervalued settlements. It’s not just about adding up medical bills; it’s about uncovering every layer of harm, from lost income and long-term care needs to pain, trauma, and future limitations. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our seasoned Syracuse personal injury attorneys bring decades of experience to every case we handle, and if we represent you, we will use aggressive advocacy to help you seek the full compensation you deserve. We proudly serve individuals and families in Syracuse, Rochester, and throughout Upstate New York.

The foundation of any personal injury case is liability. When determining how personal injury lawyers evaluate the value of your case, the first step is to assess whether another party can be held legally responsible for your injuries. Liability is typically based on negligence. In New York, to show negligence, a plaintiff must establish that the defendant owed them a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused the plaintiff’s injuries as a result. As such, whether you were injured in a car crash, by a defective product, in a slip and fall accident, or due to medical malpractice, identifying the responsible party and proving their fault is essential.

In some cases, liability may be straightforward, such as when a driver runs a red light and causes a collision. In others, it may be more complex and involve shared fault, multiple defendants, or third-party claims. In New York, comparative negligence rules allow an injured party to recover damages even if they were partially at fault, although their recovery may be reduced proportionally. Skilled personal injury attorneys conduct thorough investigations, gather evidence, consult experts, and reconstruct events to build a compelling case.

Once liability is established, personal injury attorneys assess the scope of your losses. This is a crucial part of how personal injury lawyers evaluate the value of your case. Damages are generally divided into two categories: economic and non-economic. Economic damages refer to tangible, out-of-pocket losses like medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and other financial costs. 

Non-economic damages are more difficult to quantify but are no less important. These include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and loss of companionship. Attorneys often work with mental health professionals, rehabilitation specialists, and family members to convey the full impact of an injury on a client’s daily life. In some cases, the emotional toll of an injury can far outweigh the financial costs, especially in cases involving permanent disability, chronic pain, or traumatic brain injury.

Punitive damages, which are intended to punish particularly egregious conduct, may be available in rare cases, such as those involving intentional harm or gross recklessness. While not common, their potential availability can influence how personal injury lawyers evaluate the value of your case during litigation or settlement discussions.

Some injuries result in ongoing or permanent impairments that require lifelong treatment, accommodations, or assistance. When assessing how personal injury lawyers determine the value of your case, it is essential to consider future losses. These may include the cost of in-home caregivers, assistive devices, home modifications, ongoing therapy, or future surgeries. An experienced attorney will consult life care planners, economists, and medical experts to estimate future needs and translate them into projected financial costs.

Loss of earning capacity is also a key component in many personal injury cases. If an injury prevents you from returning to your job or reduces your ability to earn in the future, that loss must be reflected in your compensation. Attorneys use vocational experts and financial analysts to estimate how your career trajectory and lifetime earnings have been altered, especially if you are young or had a high-income career path. Failing to account for long-term and future damages can result in a settlement that seems sufficient at first but falls short years down the road. 

If you were seriously injured due to someone else's negligence, you deserve to understand how personal injury lawyers evaluate the value of your case before agreeing to any settlement. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our capable Syracuse personal injury attorneys possess the skills and resources needed to determine the value of your case and aid you in seeking any recoverable compensation. Our primary office is in Syracuse, and we represent injured parties in Syracuse, Rochester, and across Upstate New York. Contact us today online or call 833-200-2000 to schedule a free and confidential consultation.