Typical Car Accident Settlement Amounts: No & With Injury

In the United States, millions of car accidents occur every year. If you’ve been involved in a crash, it’s important to know your rights and seek legal counsel so that you can receive compensation for your injuries. The question is, how much will you get from your car accident settlement?

Learn more about typical car accident settlement amounts: no & with injury. Keep in mind your specific settlement amount will vary based on a wide range of factors, such as the severity of your injuries, the state you live in, what type of insurance the other party has, and other variables.

How Are Car Accident Settlements Calculated?

Attorneys and insurance companies consider a wide range of criteria when calculating settlement offers. Some common factors at play include:

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional distress

• Property damage

• Lost wages

• Medical bills

If you’ve suffered a severe personal injury and experienced ongoing emotional distress, your settlement will likely be higher than that of someone who, for example, was a passenger and suffered minimal injuries. While injury severity has a major impact on settlement amounts, it’s not the only determining factor.

Lawyers and insurance companies also consider the degree of fault. For instance, if you were involved in a motorcycle accident where another driver pulled out in front of you, but you were going over the speed limit, the other driver would have more of the blame. However, since you contributed to the accident by speeding, your potential settlement might be reduced.

Settlement vs. Verdict

Many car accident claims end in a settlement. A settlement occurs when you and the other party reach an agreement outside of court, typically through negotiations facilitated by your attorneys.

That’s not to say you will reach an agreement right away. Insurance companies will often offer settlements to resolve accident claims quickly and avoid a lengthy trial. However, a good attorney will likely counter this offer to obtain better terms and conditions. Their goal is to ensure you receive fair compensation.

If you and the other party cannot reach an agreement, the case will go to trial and be heard by a judge and/or jury. They will determine whether the defendant is liable for your injuries and, if so, the amount of compensation you receive.

Taking a case to trial can be a long and drawn-out process. A good lawyer can help you decide whether to accept a settlement offer or proceed to trial.

Understanding the Potential Outcomes of Your Case

Every car accident trial is unique. State laws, insurance limits, and the circumstances surrounding the accident all vary. Therefore, it’s nearly impossible to identify an “average” settlement amount that applies to all cases. Typical settlements fall somewhere between $15,000 and $35,000.

Here’s a closer look at the settlement ranges for accidents involving no injury, minor injury, and serious injury.

Typical Car Accident Settlement Amounts With No Injury

Vehicle crashes involving no injury tend to have the lowest settlement amounts. In many cases, you will only be compensated for the damage caused to your vehicle and any other expenses you incurred due to the accident. The range for car accident settlements without injury falls between $10,000 and $15,000. However, these figures also include some crashes involving minor injuries, so your actual settlement may be even lower if you are completely injury-free.

It's still a good idea to consult with a lawyer just to make sure your rights are protected. A good attorney can help you request a fair settlement amount that adequately covers your expenses, such as any repair costs.

Typical Car Accident Settlement Amounts With Minor Injury

If you are in a vehicle crash and suffer minor injuries, the settlement amount can vary greatly. Some factors that will impact your settlement include:

• Medical bills

• Time out of work

• Mental anguish

• Length of recovery

• Nature of the injury

Sometimes, the line between minor and severe can get blurry. A good attorney will help you understand the lasting impacts of your injuries and help you pursue a fair settlement amount based on the facts of the case.

Typical Car Accident Settlement Amounts With Injury

If you suffer a major injury or lasting harm, your settlement could be in the tens of thousands of dollars. In rare cases, plaintiffs receive hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars from the other party. For instance, a Virginia couple received a $16 million settlement after being struck on their motorcycle. However, their injuries were quite severe, as the husband died on the scene and the wife lost her leg.

Keep in mind that insurance policy limitations can apply in these situations. These limits restrict the amount an insurance company can pay out on a single claim.

Typically, cases with huge settlements involve commercial trucks or other company vehicles. However, just because an incident involved a commercial truck does not mean you’ll automatically receive a giant settlement. All of the other factors, such as injury severity and level of fault, still apply.

For instance, neck and back injuries tend to draw higher settlements due to severe and chronic pain. These settlements can range from around $25,000 to $550,000, depending on the severity of the injuries and the distribution of fault.

If You’ve Been Injured, Don’t Delay

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, it’s vital that you act fast. The sooner you connect with an attorney, the better the odds are of obtaining important evidence to support your claim. Waiting weeks or even months to start the filing process can make it hard to track down witnesses, videos, and other evidence.

Contact ConsumerShield for trusted legal advice on car accident claims. We’ll connect you with an experienced attorney who can help with your case. Fill out our contact form to get started.