I don't want to imply any person hurt tragically is minor or could even be paid for. How much is a finger, arm, leg, eye, or being able to walk again... or death? There is no price. there cant be one.
You can fact and figure all you want to come up with a number that would represent what a injured could could have accomplished if uninjured. But is that ever enough no matter what? The advertising slots of tobacco in the past have been filled by law firms. When we were kids, the threat of a law suit was meaningful and serious. Today however, it's an everyday occurrence and every other thought of business people is muddied by what they have to do NOT to be sued.
The mentality that people sitting on juries have is passionate for hurt sufferers and compounded by the fact that the insurance company is going to pay anyway. Do you think its been long enough now that folks are realizing why there is 10-15% increase in the past 5 years by health insurance and HMO's? has your car insurance gone down lately? how bout insurance on your home? not even geiko can help. but, who wouldn't want pie and chips?