In the city of San Luis Obispo, people who have been injured often wonder this: Will the insurance adjuster use a settlement formula in valuing my injury claim? The answer is yes, but that formula does not determine the exact amount of compensation that a victim will receive. The formula is just one tool that an adjuster will use in determining the amount of compensation delivered.

When a person is found to be liable in an accident, they must pay the victim for medical care and any related expenses, lost wages and income, pain and suffering, disfigurement or permanent disability, loss of various experiences, and emotional changes that can be related to any of these things.

To determine how much compensation will be paid, an adjuster will add up medical expenses related to the injury. The adjuster will then multiply this number by between one-and-a-half to three, if the injuries were minor. If the injuries were severe, the total will be multiplied by up to five (and in some cases, more). Once this amount is calculated, the adjuster will then add on lost income. The number that is arrived at will be where the negotiations begin.

Any person who has been injured in an accident should consult an attorney experienced in personal injury law before accepting any settlement offered by an insurance company. An attorney can assist in negotiations to ensure a settlement that is fair to the victim.