This book explains different issues involving personal injury in layman’s terms. There are at least three different things that factor into a viable personal injury claim. The first and foremost factor is how significant are the injuries. A minor injury of course is not going to make for a very large claim. The more significant the injury the more significant the claim. That is not to say that a minor injury cannot support a viable claim. It only means that the more serious the injury the more significant the claim.
The next factor is liability. Who is responsible for causing the event? Was it solely the fault of the other party or do both parties share blame? Were there other factors that were responsible, at least in part, for causing the event? How culpable are each of the parties and what were the underlying motivating factors? These are but a few of the questions surrounding the liability issue and the answer to these questions will play a vital role in the value of the claim.
The last factor is probably the most misunderstood – causation. Did the event cause the injury? This may seem simple but it is anything but simple. Imagine a car crash in which your back suffers multiple herniated discs. But what if your back had been operated on before. Or that while you had not had an actual surgery you had been seeing a chiropractor or orthopedic surgeon for months due to pain. The question will arise as to whether your back was injured as a result of the crash or due to a pre-existing injury. You can certainly guess what position the insurance company is going to take.