Getting into a car accident can be devastating. When you come out of a catastrophic accident alive, you have many problems ahead. You must have various questions, including “How much to expect from my car accident settlement?”.
You may use Google to find out the average settlement amounts. The truth is, none of the averages can tell you how much you are going to get for your case. Every car accident case is different, and various factors influence your claim.
Therefore, it is essential to take a step back and understand things more clearly. Examine the matter with a car accident lawyer, find some clarity and determine what you need.
How Much Compensation Can You Expect from a Car Accident Claim?
Since each car accident claim is different, you cannot guess the amount of your claim. When you get involved in a car accident, you have the right to file a claim with the insurance company and get compensation. If the accident did not involve any other vehicle, you could get it repaired using your own insurance money.
This is the simplest way to settle a car accident claim since it does not involve other parties. If your car repair costs exceeded the car’s worth when you bought it, the insurance company would suggest you total it. Then they will give you a lump sum of its worth.
Things can get a bit complex when accidents involve other parties. If the accident was another driver’s fault, you could file a claim with their insurance company. You have the right to charge them for their negligence. You can get various damages, such as medical expenses, car repairs, loss of earnings, etc.
However, we cannot give you an exact amount. A car accident settlement process is complicated. The insurance company may pay you much less than you expected. Still, averages can give you an idea of what compensation amounts look like.
Average Car Accident Settlement Amounts for Different Types of Injury
No two car accident cases are alike. Each one has different damages, injuries, the number of parties involved, and other differences. Therefore, determining your expected claim using online sources won’t be helpful. The best way to find out how much you deserve is to hire a lawyer and allow them to review your case.
Some typical car accident settlements might help you get the answer you want. However, remember that these are only averages of many car accident cases that may or may not be similar to yours.
- Minor car accident settlement- $10,000 to $25,000
- Herniated disc injury- $75,000 to $350,000
- Back and neck injury- $75,000 to $100,000
- Brain injuries- $100,000 and $250,000
- More severe injuries like paralysis or brain injuries that require daily assistance can result in millions of dollars of compensation.
Which Factors Can Influence Your Compensation Claim?
Various factors can influence your car accident settlement amount. Since each car accident case is unique, these factors will differ with each case. Some of the factors may not even apply to your injury case.
Here are some of the factors that may impact your car accident claim.
The Severity of Your Injuries
People with minor injuries receive less compensation than those with more severe ones. This is because the more your injuries are, the higher the medical costs are. Major injuries also affect your life more than minor ones.
Whether You Were at Fault or Shared Fault?
If you were at fault in the accident, you would not receive compensation from the other party. In this case, you need to pay their damages. If both the other party and you were at fault, then the situation is called comparative fault. Since you share some of the faults, you will receive less than the total damage cost.
The Availability of Evidence.
Evidence is everything in a car accident case. The burden of proof falls on the person who files the claim in the first place. Therefore, you need to have sufficient evidence demonstrating the other party’s fault. The stronger your evidence is, the more chances of receiving a significant amount.
Whether You Have Intangible Damages.
Intangible damages are those you cannot see or touch, unlike physical damages. One common intangible damage is called “pain and suffering.” Pain and suffering refer to the emotional, mental and physical stress you go through because of the accident. Things like not being able to play your favorite sport or the potential shortening of life come in this category.
Do You Need a Lawyer for Your Car Accident Settlement?
While most people think they can fight a car accident case alone, they are wrong. Car accident attorneys are experienced and skilled and know what they are doing. They have access to special resources that can help you gather solid evidence for strengthening your case.
A legal expert has probably seen cases similar to yours before and knows what you should or should not do to win. One of the best advantages of hiring a lawyer is knowing that you are doing everything right. Legal procedures can be complex. You need to file tons of paperwork, make sure all information is correct, and meet legal deadlines.
Handling legal matters while battling with your physical and mental health at the same time can be daunting. An attorney can provide peace of mind by taking care of official matters while you focus on more important things: your health.
