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January 15th, 2025
“What is my personal injury case worth?” At Hess Injury Law in Hermiston, this is one of the most common questions we hear from clients.
It’s perfectly natural to want a clear answer, but here’s the truth: There’s no calculator you can use, no average settlement to compare to, and no simple formula that will tell you what your case is worth. The only reliable way to value your claim is to work with an experienced personal injury attorney who has handled cases like yours many times before.
Every case is unique, with its own circumstances that affect its value. But understanding how cases are evaluated can help you make better decisions about your claim and avoid common pitfalls that could reduce your compensation. Let’s break down what insurance companies and attorneys look at when determining case value in Oregon.
The first step in understanding your case’s value involves knowing what insurance coverage applies. In Oregon, several types of insurance typically come into play after an accident:
As your personal injury attorneys, our job is to identify all possible coverage and make sure each policy is maximized to protect your interests. We handle the insurance companies while you focus on recovery.
Personal injury case values aren’t pulled from thin air – they’re carefully calculated based on several key factors. Understanding these factors helps you grasp how insurance companies and attorneys arrive at settlement figures. Here are the main components that determine your case value:
While some damages, like medical bills, are straightforward to calculate, others, like pain and suffering, require careful documentation and skilled negotiation. The key is making sure nothing gets overlooked in the evaluation process – because you only get one chance to settle your claim.
Every action you take after an accident affects your case value. Here’s what to know:
Getting proper medical care isn’t just about healing – it creates a clear record of your injuries and shows you’re taking your recovery seriously. This means following your doctor’s orders, keeping appointments, and completing recommended therapy. Skipping appointments or ignoring medical advice can seriously damage your case.
Strong documentation builds a strong case. Keep everything related to your accident organized – medical bills, work records showing missed time, receipts for medications and equipment, photos of your injuries, and notes about how injuries affect your daily life. These records tell the story of your injury and recovery, making it easier to prove your losses.
Timing plays a vital role, too. Waiting to get medical care makes it harder to connect your injuries to the accident. Insurance companies look for gaps in treatment or delays in seeking care to reduce claim values. And while you’re focused on recovery, remember that Oregon law sets strict deadlines for injury claims. Missing these deadlines can prevent you from getting any compensation at all.
Insurance companies are not on your side. Quick settlement offers are designed to close your claim before you understand the full extent of your injuries. Never guess about facts you’re unsure about, and avoid admitting fault or apologizing for anything – even casual comments can be used against you later.
Social media has become one of the biggest threats to injury claims. Insurance companies regularly check your posts looking for ways to minimize your injuries. Even innocent photos of family gatherings or comments about weekend plans can be twisted to suggest you’re not really hurt. Privacy settings won’t protect you – assume anything you post could end up in your case file.
Dealing with an injury claim while trying to recover is overwhelming. There’s paperwork to manage, insurance adjusters calling, medical appointments to track, and legal deadlines you can’t afford to miss. Many people think they should wait until they’re feeling better to talk with a lawyer, but this can seriously harm their case.
Early legal guidance helps protect your rights from the start. An experienced personal injury attorney knows what documentation matters most, how to properly value your claim, and how to avoid the common mistakes that insurance companies use to reduce settlements. The sooner you understand your rights, the better positioned you’ll be to receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Your case value depends on many factors that unfold during your recovery. While focusing on getting better, you need someone looking out for your legal rights. Here’s why accident victims in Hermiston, Pendleton, and throughout Eastern Oregon trust Hess Injury Law:
Don’t let insurance companies pressure you into a quick settlement. At Hess Injury Law, we take time to understand how your injuries affect your life, work, and future needs. Let us protect your rights while you focus on recovery.
Call our Hermiston office today for a free, no-obligation consultation. The sooner we can review your case, the better we can protect your right to fair compensation.
Disclaimer: The content of this blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal counsel.
Peter J. Hess grew up in Walla Walla, Washington. He is a 1996 graduate of Walla Walla High School and a 2000 graduate of the University of Washington, with a B.A. in Business Administration/Information Systems.
Peter graduated from Willamette University College of Law, with honors, in 2007. While at Willamette, he was an Associate Editor of the Willamette Law Review, he was a Teacher’s Assistant for a Legal Research and Writing professor, and he worked as a Personal Injury Law Clerk at Swanson, Lathen, Alexander & McCann in Salem, Oregon. After graduation from Willamette, Peter began working here at Hess Injury Law. In 2012, he became a partner in the firm. He is licensed to practice law in both Washington and Oregon.
