Rib fractures can be painful and lead to a whole host of complications. Injured victims might find it difficult to continue working while also grappling with expensive medical bills. An attorney will help you get the best settlement possible for rib fractures.
A good settlement will depend on the severity of the rib fracture, medical costs, pain, distress, and more. Your settlement should account for your specific costs and unique experiences. We need as much evidence as possible to prove these and other factors so you get a good settlement. If all else fails, we can take your case to court, and you may be awarded the damages you rightfully deserve.
Contact our Maryland personal injury lawyers by calling Rice Law at (410) 694-7291 and ask our team for a free, private case review.
What is a Good Rib Fracture Settlement Worth in Maryland?
A good settlement for a rib fracture will depend on how serious the injury is, associated costs, and your personal, painful experiences from the accident.
How Many Ribs Are Fractured?
The number of ribs fractured will play a major role in your settlement. A single rib fracture may be painful, but is less likely to be a massive disruption to your life. However, if you fracture multiple ribs, your condition may be more serious, and your settlement should be bigger.
Your Recovery Period
How long will it take you to recover? The more time you need to heal, the bigger your settlement should be. Recovery time may vary based on numerous factors. The nature of the injury, your age, pre-existing medical conditions, and lifestyle may significantly influence your recovery time. Even so, if your doctor believes that your recovery time will be long, your settlement should account for that time.
Medical Costs
Rib fractures require urgent medical care. Depending on your situation, you may require only one emergency room visit or more extensive treatment. A simple rib fracture usually heals on its own in a few weeks. Even so, you may need pain medication, scans, and X-rays to make sure nothing else is wrong.
If you have a more severe fracture or multiple fractured ribs, you might need ongoing care. Our Maryland personal injury attorneys should make sure your current and future medical costs are incorporated into your settlement.
Pain and Suffering
Your settlement should also reflect the pain and distress you endured because of the accident and your injuries. Physical pain, emotional distress, and psychological damage from the accident may be severe. Talk to your lawyer in depth about your painful personal experiences before accepting a settlement.
How to Negotiate a Rib Fracture Settlement
Never accept the first offer. Whether you are negotiating with an insurance company or a private individual paying out of pocket, do not accept the first offer. The first offer is often the lower settlement the defendant believes they can get away with paying. Talk to your attorney about your claims and what they are worth. If the settlement offer is too low, demand more.
What Evidence Should You Have When Negotiating a Rib Fracture Settlement in Maryland?
During settlement negotiations, we do not have to convince a judge or jury of your claims, but that does not mean that we do not need any evidence. If we cannot substantiate your claims with evidence during settlement negotiations, you are unlikely to receive the settlement you deserve.
Medical Records
Your medical records may be necessary to prove the extent of the injuries and costs of treatment. We should request copies of your medical records as soon as possible. While you have a right to your own medical records, they may take time to compile, especially if your injuries are severe and require extensive treatment.
Evidence of Fault
We need to connect the defendant to the accident that caused your injuries. This evidence will vary based on how you were injured and the defendant’s role in the accident. Great sources of evidence may include, but are not limited to, photos, video footage, and even the defendant’s own statements.
Witness Statements
Who is prepared to testify on your behalf in court? The more witnesses who can back you up, the stronger your claims are, and the more likely the defendant will offer a better settlement. When defendants know that multiple witnesses are prepared to back you up in court, they may be more inclined to offer a better settlement.
Are Rib Fracture Settlements Usually Very Large?
The size of a settlement for rib fractures depends on many factors. While rib fractures can be painful injuries, they are somewhat common and usually heal fully over time. A typical rib injury may not need extensive care, and a settlement might cover your medical costs but not much else.
However, serious rib fractures can cause major complications. For example, if a broken rib punctures a lung, you may be in a very critical condition. In such cases, a settlement may be quite large.
How to Prepare to Negotiate a Rib Fracture Settlement
We cannot enter settlement negotiations unprepared. We need evidence, a strong legal strategy, and an accurate idea of what your claims are truly worth.
Gather Medical Information
We must gather medical information about your injuries, treatment plans, and overall prognosis. What is your exact injury diagnosis? Do your doctors expect you to recover quickly or slowly? Have you experienced any medical complications? Your medical records will shed light on these details and more.
Document Financial Losses
We need proof of how much money the accident and your fractured ribs have actually cost you. This may serve as a baseline for your damages. Your actual claims may be far higher when we consider non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
Your bank records, receipts, invoices, and other evidence of cost should be compiled and reviewed with your lawyer. As your case continues, be sure to thoroughly document any new expenses you incur because of your fractured ribs.
Determine a Target Settlement Value
We need to understand what your claims are worth. If we determine that your overall claims are worth about $100,000, that should be our target settlement.
Often, plaintiffs must demand a higher sum and slowly negotiate down to their target. For example, we might initially demand $150,000 and, over the course of negotiations, ultimately settle for $100,000.
What Should You Do if You Cannot Get a Good Settlement for a Rib Fracture?
If we cannot reach a good settlement agreement, we will be prepared to take the case to court.
In many cases, victims have already filed personal injury lawsuits in court. If they can settle with the defendant and the defendant’s insurer, the victim may drop the lawsuit. If not, the case is already filed and may proceed to court.
Ask Our Maryland Personal Injury Lawyers For Help with Your Settlement
Contact our Baltimore, MD personal injury lawyers by calling Rice Law at (410) 694-7291 and ask our team for a free, private case review.