“How Much Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?” It’s one of the first questions we hear from new clients—and we totally get it. After an injury, you’re facing medical bills, missed work, and a ton of uncertainty. Naturally, you want to know: What’s my case really worth?
The honest answer? It depends.
There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for valuing a personal injury claim. Every case is different, and a fair settlement depends on several key factors—from the severity of your injuries to how they impact your daily life. At Howard Injury Law, we’re here to walk you through all of it and fight for every dollar you deserve. Contact us for a Free Case Evaluation at (702) 331-5722.
What Affects the Value of a Personal Injury Case?
A lot goes into determining what a case is worth. Some factors can increase your claim’s value, while others might make it more challenging. That’s where working with an experienced personal injury lawyer really makes a difference.
Here are some of the main things that can impact your case value:
- The type and severity of your injuries
- Whether those injuries affect your ability to work or live normally
- The cost and duration of your medical care
- Any long-term effects, disabilities, or permanent damage
- Whether you had pre-existing conditions
- The extent of property damage involved
- Insurance coverage (yours and the other party’s)
- How clear it is who’s at fault—and whether you share any responsibility
- The willingness of the insurance company to negotiate fairly
At Howard Injury Law, we build strong cases by collaborating with medical experts, financial professionals, and others to paint a full picture of your damages. We don’t settle for less—because you deserve more.
What Kinds of Compensation Can You Recover?
In Nevada, injured victims may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic damages—and in some cases, punitive damages as well.
💵 Economic Damages
These are your tangible, out-of-pocket costs, like:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages or income
- Home care or help with daily tasks
- Physical therapy and rehab
- Transportation or other injury-related expenses
Insurance companies may push back on what’s “reasonable,” but we back up every claim with solid evidence.
💔 Non-Economic Damages
These are the harder-to-measure, but very real, impacts of your injury:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental health struggles
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Impact on relationships or intimacy (loss of consortium)
Because there’s no fixed formula, we often use the “multiplier method” to calculate these damages. That means assigning a number—usually between 1.5 and 5—based on the severity of your suffering, then multiplying it by your economic losses.
The more serious the injury, the higher the multiplier.
⚖️ Punitive Damages
In rare but serious cases, Nevada law allows for punitive damages—designed to punish reckless or intentional behavior. Think DUI crashes or extreme negligence.
Our team will carefully assess your case to see if punitive damages might apply.
Don’t Be Fooled by Settlement Myths
We live in an age of big promises and slick marketing. Some firms will offer sky-high estimates just to get you in the door. Others use “settlement calculators” that completely ignore the nuance of your case.
At Howard Injury Law, we don’t do smoke and mirrors. We’d rather give you honest answers and deliver real results.
We’ve seen people assume their case is worth millions based solely on how much they’ve suffered. While emotional distress is real—and can be compensable—it needs to be backed by documentation. No evidence? No payout.
We’ve also had clients believe the other party will “definitely pay” just because they admitted fault in a car accident. Unfortunately, even with a strong case, getting paid can still be difficult—especially if the at-fault party has little or no insurance.
Here’s What You Can Count On
We’ll never guarantee a dollar amount or outcome—but we will give you an experienced estimate based on similar cases, strong strategy, and honest legal advice.
In the meantime, the best thing you can do is:
And don’t accept the insurance company’s first offer—it’s usually low
Follow your doctor’s treatment plan
Keep track of your symptoms, appointments, and expenses
Be patient with the process
Factors That Affect the Value of Your Personal Injury Case
Determining what your case is worth isn’t just about plugging numbers into a calculator—it’s about understanding the full picture: legally, financially, and strategically. At Howard Injury Law, we don’t just aim for a settlement—we aim for the right settlement based on the specific details of your case.
Here are some of the key factors that influence personal injury case value in Nevada:
1. Case Type
Not all personal injury cases are treated the same. A slip-and-fall accident is different from a commercial truck collision or a dog bite case. Why? Each case type involves different standards of care, types of damages, and insurance coverage.
In Nevada, for example, car accidents often involve comparative negligence laws, while premises liability cases hinge on property owner responsibility. The more complex or severe the case type, the more legal expertise is needed—and the more compensation may be at stake.
2. Liability and Strength of Evidence
The clearer it is that someone else was at fault, the stronger your case. Nevada follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means your compensation may be reduced if you were partially at fault. If you’re found to be more than 50% responsible, you may be barred from recovering any damages at all.
That’s why gathering evidence is critical. Police reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, and expert analysis can make or break your claim. At Howard Injury Law, we work hard to build strong liability arguments with solid documentation.
3. Damages
There are two major types of damages: economic (like medical bills and lost income) and non-economic (like pain and suffering). While economic damages are relatively easy to quantify, non-economic damages are more subjective.
Nevada courts often use the multiplier method to estimate pain and suffering. This involves multiplying your economic damages by a number between 1.5 and 5—depending on the severity of your injuries, length of recovery, and overall impact on your life.
For instance, someone with a permanent spinal injury may have a multiplier of 4 or 5, while someone with minor soft-tissue injuries might have a 1.5 or 2.
When it comes to calculating pain and suffering in Nevada personal injury cases, courts and insurance companies often rely on something called the multiplier method—a formula designed to help put a dollar amount on non-economic damages like emotional distress, physical discomfort, and loss of enjoyment of life.
So how does it work?
Essentially, your economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket expenses) are multiplied by a number—typically between 1.5 and 5—to estimate your non-economic damages. The more severe and long-lasting your injuries, the higher the multiplier.
Here’s a closer look at how that might play out:
- Multiplier of 1.5 to 2
Used for minor injuries like whiplash, sprains, or short-term pain that resolves with minimal treatment. These cases often involve ER visits, a few physical therapy sessions, and no lasting impact on your daily life or ability to work. - Multiplier of 2.5 to 3.5
This range may apply to moderate injuries—such as broken bones, longer recovery periods, or injuries that temporarily limit your ability to work or care for yourself. If your condition requires surgery, rehab, or ongoing treatment, it could push your case into this mid-range. - Multiplier of 4 to 5 (or even higher)
Reserved for the most serious, life-altering injuries—like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, permanent disability, or chronic pain. These are the kinds of injuries that change the way you live, move, and experience the world every day.
The multiplier method isn’t a strict rule, but rather a guideline. Insurance companies might try to downplay your pain or assign a lower multiplier than you deserve. At Howard Injury Law, we push back hard when that happens—backed by medical evidence, expert testimony, and detailed documentation of how your injuries have affected your life.
Whether your pain is physical, emotional, or both, it deserves to be taken seriously. We’ll help ensure your pain and suffering are accounted for in your final compensation—and we’ll never let the insurance company lowball your experience.
4. Jurisdiction and Nevada State Laws
Where your case is filed matters. Nevada courts and judges have their own patterns and practices. Some venues are more plaintiff-friendly, while others may be conservative when awarding damages.
Nevada also has specific laws that can impact your case:
- Caps on damages in medical malpractice cases
- Punitive damages allowed in DUI and egregious conduct cases
- Statute of limitations—typically 2 years for personal injury claims
- Comparative negligence rules as mentioned earlier
Knowing the local legal landscape can make a major difference, which is why working with a Nevada-based law firm like Howard Injury Law gives you an edge.
5. Insurance Policy Limits
No matter how strong your case is, your compensation is often limited by the at-fault party’s insurance policy limits.
For example, Nevada’s minimum auto insurance requirements are just $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident for bodily injury. If your damages exceed that, it may be necessary to explore additional avenues like underinsured motorist coverage or personal assets—but those paths require experience and strategy.
6. Settlement Methods
Some cases settle quickly with a simple demand letter. Others require aggressive negotiation, mediation, or even arbitration. The method of resolution can impact both the amount you receive and how long it takes to get there.
At Howard Injury Law, we tailor our strategy to your case. We know when to push for more—and when it makes sense to take a strong offer.
7. Going to Trial
While many personal injury cases settle out of court, some do go to trial—especially when liability is contested or the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer.
Trial can increase the potential value of your case, especially if a jury empathizes with your pain and suffering. But it also carries more risk, time, and expense. We’ll walk you through the pros and cons so you can make the best choice for your situation.
Let’s Talk About Your Case and What It’s Worth
The truth is, no two cases are alike—and there are many moving parts. At Howard Injury Law, we’ll never give you unrealistic numbers or false promises. Instead, we offer thoughtful, honest guidance based on years of experience and real results.
Let’s talk about what your case may be worth. Call us for a FREE consultation at (702) 331-5722, and we’ll go over the specific factors that apply to your situation.
Your recovery starts here—with the truth, the strategy, and the support you deserve.
At Howard Injury Law, we will expertly guide you through the legal process as your dedicated personal injury lawyer in Las Vegas. From the initial free consultation to the resolution of your case, our experienced attorneys serve Nevada, California, Colorado, and Arizona, and are committed to providing comprehensive support and representation. We understand the complexities and challenges that come with personal injury claims, and we are here to ensure that your rights are protected every step of the way.
Free Consultation with Howard Injury Law:
📲 (702) 331-5722 M-F/9-5
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