Springfield Auto Accident Lawyers on Factors that Impact the Value of your Claim

Although the primary factor in your auto accident case is how strong the evidence is that the defendant was negligent in causing your injuries, many other factors can come into play in determining the value of your case.

How the Jury Perceives You

Human nature often dictates the manner in which a jury decides a case; you are more likely to receive a higher award if the jurors relate to you in a positive way. Consequently, in regards to your testimony, how you say it is almost as important as what you say. Your lawyer can provide guidance on how best to present yourself to the jury.

How the Jury Perceives the Defendant

In general, the same analysis is true for the defendant. Unless the defendant is clearly the “bad guy” in the case, such as if he or she was a drunk driver, he or she may be viewed sympathetically by the jurors as one who simply made a mistake, which anyone is capable of.

Damage to the Vehicles

There is no absolute correlation between the extent of the damage to the vehicles involved in the accident and the severity of your injuries; people can and do walk away with minor injuries from a car that is a total wreck and conversely may have permanent damage from a fender bender. A jury, however, may rely too heavily on the damage to the cars in assessing the nature of your injuries.

Contact a Springfield Auto Accident Attorney for Legal Advice

Evaluating your claim in order to determine a proper settlement amount or whether to take the case to trial requires an experienced and knowledgeable legal team. For questions on your particular situation, call McCarthy, Rowden & Baker, Springfield auto accident lawyers, at (800) 373-6050.