Car Accident Settlement Amounts With No Injuries (2026)

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:

• Emotional distress
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Temporary transportation costs
• Repairs or replacement for your vehicle

Lawyers and insurance companies also consider the degree of fault. For instance, if you were involved in an 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 lawsuits no injury 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 and that can take some time.

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 property damage 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. Even without injury, it’s almost always worth it to get an attorney for a car accident.

Factors That Influence Non-Injury Car Accident Settlements

In a typical car accident lawsuit, a significant portion of compensation is determined by the severity of the plaintiff’s injuries and the cost of treatment. When your accident involved no injuries, different factors can influence your case’s value.

Degree of Property Damage

The more damage the other driver did to your car or other property, the greater your settlement is likely to be. For instance, if the accident just involved a scrape, your settlement might be a few hundred dollars. If your car is totaled, you could receive $10,000 or more.

The At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Coverage

If the at-fault driver has higher policy limits, you may be more likely to secure a higher settlement.

State Laws

The laws in your state (or the state where the accident occurred) play a major role in shaping the outcome of your case. Some state-based considerations to remember include:

• Settlements may be larger in states with higher mandatory insurance minimums.
• In states with modified comparative negligence laws, your compensation may be reduced if you were partially at fault.
• Some states may give you less time to file an insurance claim than others.
• Some states may cap the damages you can receive.

Of these factors, the most influential is the state-mandated property damage liability minimum. This number guarantees the minimum coverage a driver has to pay for your property damage. However, the limits vary by state.

For example, Washington only requires $10,000 in property damage liability insurance, while West Virginia requires $25,000. Unfortunately, many people never question, “How much car insurance do I need?” Instead, they purchase the minimum required by their states.

This number does not matter if your property losses are small. But if you incurred significant losses at or above your state’s minimum requirement, and the other party has a minimum policy with no other assets to pursue, the only money you receive might be the policy limit.

If you have uninsured motorist property damage or underinsured motorist property damage (UM/UIM) coverage, you can pursue a claim with your insurer after you complete your settlement. UIM coverage pays you if you are hit by a driver without enough insurance to pay for all your losses.

Keep in mind that this coverage is optional in many states, so your policy might not include it. Additionally, UM/UIM may be separated into bodily injury and property damage components. If your insurer separates them, you need to verify that you purchased the property damage component if you only incurred property losses.

If you’ve been in a car accident with no injuries, you should consult a car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Your lawyer can explain how state laws may influence your settlement.

How Long Does It Take to Settle a No-Injury Car Accident Claim?

The length of time it takes to settle your claim depends on several factors, but claims involving non-injury auto accidents can usually be resolved in a few weeks to a few months. The more serious the property damage involved, the longer the case will probably take.

What Does a No-Injury Car Accident Settlement Cover?

In a no-injury car accident, you don’t need a settlement to cover medical costs. Typically, a settlement will compensate you for all or most of the expenses related to the accident, such as:

• Cost to repair or replace your car
• Cost to tow and store your car
• Cost of renting a car while yours was in the shop
• Any wages you lost as a result of vehicle damage

In some cases, you may also be compensated for your car’s diminished value after the accident.

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. However, one consistent trend holds true - people who hire a lawyer recover settlements that are, on average, 3.5 times higher than those who go through the process alone.

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

Average Settlement for Non-Injury Car Accident

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. We conducted research in January 2026 to check the average settlement amounts reported by law firms for car accidents with no injury. The typical settlement range for non-injury car accidents falls between $500 and $25,000, with a calculated average of $9,900 based on the ranges provided by three law firms.

Even though there are no medical bills involved, 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.

Negotiating With Insurance Companies

Hiring a lawyer to handle your property loss claim can be a wise choice. Many lawyers have the knowledge and experience to handle property damage liability claims and can negotiate effectively on your behalf.

These negotiations often involve your lawyer and the adjuster accessing similar tools for assessing the value of your property. If your car was totaled, the adjuster will typically explain which database was used to determine the value of your car. They will also explain how the vehicle’s depreciation was calculated.

These two numbers will determine your vehicle’s actual cash value (ACS). You can also use online databases and depreciation tools to calculate an ACS.

If your car was not totaled, the adjuster will gather repair estimates from several sources. You can also gather repair estimates.

In either case, there will likely be a gap between your number and the adjuster’s offer. Your lawyer will negotiate a fair payout by documenting your process for gathering data about your property and persuading the adjuster to offer more based on your calculated property losses.

Take Action Quickly After a Car Accident Without Injury

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.