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The top 3 factors that determine the value of an injury claim

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You get hurt in a car crash, suffering not just massive property damage but personal injuries as well. You expect to file an insurance claim, but you are unsure of exactly what your rights may be under current Missouri law.

Most people have heard exaggerated stories of people becoming millionaires over minor car crash injuries and also stories of people with life-altering injuries denied coverage for their costs. What factors determine how much your personal injury claim is actually worth?

The injuries you suffered

Despite the exaggerated stories that sometimes make the rounds on social media, people don’t receive seven-figure personal injury payouts for negligible injuries. The extent of the injury and its impact on your life will determine how much it is worth in the eyes of an insurance company and in civil court.

The more permanent an injury is and the more severe its symptoms, the more compensation an individual can potentially request. A spinal cord injury will require more medical care and have more impact on someone’s earning potential than a broken arm.

The insurance companies involved

While they may all advertise to seem like they are helpful and supportive, insurance companies have varying approaches to large claims after a crash.

For example, if the driver at fault has insurance through the same insurance company that you do, that could influence the tactics they employ when negotiating your claim. In general, insurance companies will typically fight to keep their costs low by limiting how much they pay.

The policy limits

You cannot receive more in an insurance claim than the policy limit for the coverage carried. Whether you make a claim against the driver at fault for the crash or your own supplemental coverage, the maximum amount of protection or the policy limit is a firm limit that the company will not exceed, even if your costs are much higher.

The only option for those with expenses well over what insurance pays is typically to go to civil court. You may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver at fault for the wreck, and how much you can seek will depend on the extent of your injuries and how much insurance already covered. Learning about what influences personal injury claims in Missouri can mitigate the financial losses stemming from a car crash.

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