--- description: In most car accident claims, the compensation you can recover depends on your injuries, property damage, and if the other driver was at fault. title: Factors That Affect the Value of Your Car Accident Case - Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. --- Factors That Affect the Value of Your Car Accident Case - Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. # Factors That Affect the Value of Your Car Accident Case Last Updated: May 13, 2026 Reading Time: 5 minutes Trusted Content Legally Reviewed by Allan Siegel Updated 3 weeks ago [Home](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/) » [Washington DC Car Accident Lawyer](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/) » Factors That Affect the Value of Your Car Accident Case What's On This Page [Case Results](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/case-results/) $18.8 Million Car Crash $2 Million Car Crash $1.9 Million Car Crash $1.37 Million Car Crash $1.1 Million Car Crash $1 Million Car Crash [View All Practice Areas](https://chaikinandsherman.com/practice-areas/) [Testimonials](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/testimonials-hub/) They were adamant about getting me the best settlement. Torkwase Akinalana Car Accidents Proved to be the perfect advocate Michael Bizik Car Accidents I highly recommend the law firm of Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, and Siegel P.C. Anna Pastel-Powell Car Crash Mr. Siegel’s strong conviction, dedication, and determination prevailed in a legal victory. Gail Payne Car Accidents I knew I was in good hands once I stepped into their office. Gladys Ibeh Car Accidents They treated me like I was their only client, from beginning to end. Joy Lopez Car Accidents Contact Us Today! "*" indicates required fields Name* First Last Name* Last Email** Phone*Are you a new client?*Are you a new client? *Yes, I'm a potential new client.No, I'm a current existing client.I'm neitherCase TypeCase TypeMotor Vehicle AccidentSlip & FallAssaultMedical MalpracticeAbuseWork InjuryOtherWere You at Fault?Were You At Fault?NoYesUnknownWhere Did The Incident Occur?Where Did The Incident Occur?Washington, D.C.VirginiaMarylandOtherDid The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?Did The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?YesNoShare Brief Description of the Incident* Watch our attorneys explain how they fight for car accident victims across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. With over $1 billion recovered, our team knows how to build a winning case — from investigation through trial. Video Transcript **Speakers:** Ira Sherman, Joseph Cammarata, Stephen Ollar, Allan Siegel **Ira Sherman (00:02):** I would say that Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata and Siegel has a completely different outlook on cases that other people think are garden variety automobile accidents, because to the person who is involved in that accident, that’s not garden variety, that’s altering their life. **Joseph Cammarata (00:21):** First of all, we don’t advertise. People come to us by word of mouth, either from defense lawyers, from insurance companies, from colleagues at the bar. They know that we have decades of experience in the personal injury field. They know that what we bring to bear is a group of lawyers that work and non-lawyers that work as a team to make sure we understand what the nature and the extent of the injury is. We make sure we understand and can express to a third party just what those injuries are, and we work to obtain the most compensation that we can for an individual. **Stephen Ollar (01:04):** What we do a lot of is discovery, not just discovery of the facts of the case, but discovery about insurance. It may be that the individual was operating the vehicle for an employer, and if they were acting with what we call the course and scope of their employment, then there could be potentially additional coverage that would cover a person for those injuries. **Allan Siegel (01:27):** We’ve been handling car accident cases since Don Chaikin founded this firm over 50 years ago. Since we spend a lot of time and we have a lot of those cases, we have developed a level of experience and knowledge that I think is very unique in our field. There aren’t many law firms who can say that they’ve been doing this type of work for over 50 years. **Ira Sherman (01:52):** I care enough to look to determine who this person is and how it affected them, and that takes up a lot of my conversation with our clients. If you have been injured in an auto accident, you may be wondering how much money you can expect to receive in damages. This is a difficult question to answer, as the value of your case will depend on many factors. After an accident, the insurance company will use an [insurance adjuster ](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/what-to-do-after-a-car-accident/insurance-adjusters/)to investigate the accident and determine how much an injured person should receive. In most [car accident claims](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/insurance-claim/), the amount of money you can recover will depend on the severity of your injuries, the amount of property damage, and whether or not the other driver was at fault. At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., our accident lawyers have years of experience helping people who have been [injured in car accidents](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/). We know what to do to get you the best possible outcome in your case. [Contact us today](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/contact-us/) for a free initial consultation. ## Your Lost Wages Insurance providers compensate victims of automobile accidents based on the victim’s documented or otherwise proven harms and losses. In most cases, an important factor is the amount of your medical bills and lost income. It is crucial to document your income thoroughly if you want to be paid for the wages you lost while recovering from a car accident. Have your supervisor sign off on your income level and be ready to answer questions about how your income is calculated. For example, if you receive income from tips or a substantial part through cash, you will need records documenting that you were earning what you claimed to earn. If you cannot prove that you were making the income you claim to have lost after an accident, an[ insurance company](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/2013/10/liens-and-the-personal-injury-case/) will most likely deny your lost wages claim. ## Injuries Sustained in the Car Accident Other important factors that may impact your level of compensation include the nature and severity of your [injuries](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/common-injuries/). For example, whether you are a candidate for future surgery and whether you have permanent or catastrophic injuries caused by the accident, are important questions. If your doctors believe that you need surgery to resolve health problems caused by the auto accident, your case will most likely be worth more than if you do not need surgery after an accident. In addition, if you suffered a permanent injury because of the accident, your compensation level will likely be greater than a victim who sustained a less serious injury that resolved after a few weeks of physical therapy treatments. ## The Amount of Your Damages [Your damages](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/economic-vs-non-economic-damages/) are the losses that you have suffered as a result of the car accident. Your economic damages, such as your medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage, can be calculated by looking at your bills, receipts, pay stubs, and an estimate of the value of your damaged property. Calculating pain and suffering damages such as emotional distress is typically more difficult and determined by how much the accident has impacted your life. ## The Jurisdiction You File Your Claim In There is a myriad of factors that can impact the value of a personal injury case. Some factors are fairly predictable (medical bills and lost wages), while others depend on the jurisdiction. For instance, Maryland law differs from Virginia law in some respects, and both states differ from the District of Columbia in other areas. In addition, the court system where you file your claim may impact your claim as some court systems have a reputation for higher verdicts and others for lower verdicts (and insurance companies are well-versed in these reputations). ## Other Factors That May Impact Your Car Accident Settlement Of course, other things[ can negatively impact](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/2013/12/will-a-bankruptcy-filing-affect-my-personal-injury-case/) the value of your [personal injury claim](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/filing-a-personal-injury-claim/). For instance, if your own carelessness[ contributed to the accident](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/2016/04/how-does-drunk-driving-affect-an-auto-accident-lawsuit-in-dc/), your claim may be denied completely. If you have preexisting health problems affecting the body parts you claim were injured in a car crash, an insurance company might balk at having to pay for your alleged injuries. Similarly, if you were in a car accident after the accident you filed a claim for and claimed the same body parts were hurt in the subsequent accident, an insurance provider might resist compensating you for a permanent injury claim. The company could claim the following accident is the “real” cause of your pain, not the accident for which you filed a claim. ## How Much Compensation Can I Receive in a Claim? For more than 50 years, the Washington, D.C. personal injury lawyers of Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have successfully represented individuals and families who have been injured or lost loved ones due to someone else’s negligence. Here is a small sample of some of our successful verdicts and settlements: - $15 million for a woman who was permanently paralyzed from the neck down due to being struck by a stray bullet. - $6 million on behalf of a man who suffered a brain injury due to a rear-end collision. - $5 million medical malpractice settlement on behalf of a 14-year-old client who suffered a severe brain injury as a result of a doctor’s inappropriate use of a chemical product. - $4.8 million on behalf of a severely injured man when his motorcycle struck a trailer being pulled by a minivan. - $4.5 million for a woman who was seriously injured in a pedestrian accident after being struck from behind by a transit bus in a crosswalk. See additional examples of our case victories and settlements on our “[Case Results](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/case-results/)” page. If you have been injured in a car accident, contact our law firm today for a free consultation. ## Contact Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, & Siegel, P.C. for Assistance With Your Car Accident Claim All of the above variables are part of the reason it’s important to have an aggressive and informed [personal injury lawyer](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/) on your side like the attorneys of Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, & Siegel, P.C. For more than four decades, our team of seasoned litigators has been crafting case strategies and roadmaps with the goal of securing our clients the highest possible level of compensation and holding wrongdoers accountable. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. We value the attorney-client relationship and work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered. Still, our attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. If you or a loved one was seriously hurt by another’s carelessness, please call (202) 659-8600 or[ contact us](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/contact-us/) online today for a free and prompt consultation with an attorney. [Watch Our Video Testimonials](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/testimonials-hub/) Get free advice about the compensation you deserve. At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., our car accident attorneys fight tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve, handling every aspect of your case to protect your rights. Trust us to stand by you and advocate aggressively on your behalf. Speak to a Specialist Visit Us in Person 1232 17th St NW Washington, DC 20036 The car accident lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. serve the entire Washington, D.C. metro area, including [Virginia](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/virginia/) ([Northern Virginia car accident cases](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/northern-virginia/), [Arlington](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/auto-accident-attorneys-in-arlington-va/), [Fairfax County auto accident claims](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/fairfax/), [Woodbridge](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/woodbridge-va/), [Manassas](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/manassas-va/), and [Alexandria](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/alexandria/)) and Maryland ([Bethesda](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/bethesda/), [Hyattsville](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/hyattsville/), [Rockville](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/rockville/), Lau Top 10 Mistakes Made After an Accident Review these common auto accident mistakes to protect your rights. READ OUR E-BOOK Meet Our Team Learn More About Us Ira Sherman Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and New York With over four decades of courtroom experience, **Ira Sherman** is a powerhouse trial lawyer who has won justice for countless victims of serious injury, discrimination, and medical malpractice. Known for his relentless advocacy, compassion, and proven results, he’s the attorney clients trust when everything is on the line. Ira Sherman's Bio Joseph Cammarata Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia A dual board-certified civil trial attorney, **Joseph Cammarata** is nationally recognized for his fierce advocacy, landmark legal victories, and relentless pursuit of justice for victims of serious injury, wrongful death, sexual assault, and civil rights violations. With wins against powerful opponents—including a historic U.S. Supreme Court case securing equal access to justice—he’s the attorney clients trust when they need skill, strength, and results that matter. Joe Cammarata's Bio Allan M. Siegel​ Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia **Allan M. Siegel** is a board-certified trial attorney and partner at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., known for securing justice in serious personal injury, brain injury, and wrongful death cases. Recognized as one of Washington’s *Top 100 Super Lawyers®* and a *Best Lawyer®* in America, he combines strategic precision, courtroom skill, and relentless advocacy to win full and fair compensation for his clients. Allan Siegel's Bio Stephen Ollar Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia **Stephen Ollar** is an award-winning trial attorney and U.S. Army veteran dedicated to holding negligent individuals and corporations accountable. Recognized as a *Super Lawyers Rising Star* from 2020–2025, he’s known for his tenacity, precision, and unwavering pursuit of justice in personal injury, auto accident, and medical malpractice cases. Stephen Ollar's Bio ## Related Articles Read More Blog Articles Why Some Insurance Companies Take Longer to Settle After a Car Accident in Washington, DC Washington, DC Tint Laws Why Insurance Companies Lowball Car Accident Settlements in Washington, DC Economic VS Non-Economic Damages In Washington, DC Car Accident Cases How Speeding Affects Liability In a Washington, DC Car Accident Case Car Accident Lawyer Arlington, VA Should You Talk To the Other Person’s Insurance Company? 100 Deadliest Days of Summer How To Deal With Insurance Adjusters [](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2021/12/liability-and-umbrella-insurance-protects-you-and-your-family/) Brain Injury Liability and Umbrella Insurance Protects You and Your Family As we enter a new year, it is the perfect opportunity to take stock of Read More » 12/16/2021 [](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2021/08/the-courts-have-reopened-and-the-doors-are-wider-than-ever/) Car Accidents The Courts Have Reopened and the Doors are Wider Than Ever For months, the coronavirus pandemic practically shut down the courts in the District of Columbia, Read More » 08/25/2021 [](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2021/08/law-firm-receives-super-lawyers-awards-for-11th-consecutive-year/) Car Accidents Law Firm Receives Super Lawyers Awards for 11th Consecutive Year The 2021 Washington, DC Super Lawyers® annual list of “Top Lawyers” was recently featured in Read More » 08/25/2021 [](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2021/08/school-bus-safety/) Bus Accidents School Bus Safety There are more than 471,000 school buses on the roads every day. School bus safety Read More » 08/18/2021