Two people with the 'same' injury can recover wildly different amounts, and the reasons are predictable.
Documentation Quality
Consistent treatment and detailed records make an injury provable. Gaps, missed appointments, or sparse notes let insurers discount even genuine harm.
Liability Clarity
A rear-end crash with a clear at-fault driver settles differently than a disputed intersection collision, even with identical injuries, because risk at trial affects value.
Available Insurance
A serious injury caused by a minimally insured driver may be limited by policy limits, while the same injury caused by a commercial defendant has far more coverage to reach.
The Person Themselves
Credibility, how the injury affected daily life, and how clearly that story is told all influence value, particularly for non-economic damages.
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This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, consult a licensed Oregon attorney.