Judging The Severity Of A Car Accident

View Article: How to Judge the Severity of a Car Accident

David Burlison,JD

Overview

The first accident did not follow very far behind the first car to take the road. Most accidents are minor fender benders, but some are severe, causing death or permanent injuries. Judges, juries and insurance adjusters are routinely called upon to assess the severity of an accident. They will consider all relevant information before them as evidence and decide if damages should be awarded.

Step 1

Assess the property damage. The damage to the vehicles is the first sign of the severity of a car accident. Accidents range from minor fender benders to major crashes totaling all the vehicles involved. Logically, devastating property damage would indicate a severe accident.

Step 2

Consider the injuries to the humans involved in the accident. The most severe accidents are those that result in the loss of human life. Arriving at a dollar amount for loss of life should be relative to the overall loss resulting from the bodily injuries. The actual out-of-pocket cost for medical care required is relatively easy to compute, but the mental and physical pain is far more subjective.

Step 3

Calculate the pain and suffering. Serious injuries or death not only effect the victim, but family members will suffer, too. A young boy in a wheelchair for the rest of his life will have a huge price to pay. Likewise, his family will have a steep price to pay monetarily and emotionally.

Step 4

Assess loss of income to the victim and his family. A injured victim that was hospitalized will have a loss of income to him and his family. Some injuries will result in permanent disabilities and future loss of income. There may be occasions where a family member will have a loss of income as the caregiver to the injured party. The emotional toll of no longer being able to work should also be considered as an additional element of pain and suffering.



David Burlison practiced law for 25 years In Tennessee and Mississippi. He has traveled extensively throughout the world, and once lived and worked in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He has published numerous articles with Demand Studios, Ezine Articles, GoTo Articles and Hubpages. His publications have covered subjects dealing with law, travel and various social issues.