4 Car Accident Settlement Examples

Knowing what your car accident case might be worth is tricky without more information. Ultimately, every case is different. Many factors will weigh on your settlement amount, such as the severity of your injuries, their permanency, and the financial cost of your medical expenses. 

Car accident settlement payouts will also depend on property damages, lost income, and the pain and suffering you endured. 

As you well know, auto accidents can do a lot of damage. At Daniels Law, our experienced car accident attorneys can help you understand typical car accident settlement amounts and what you may be owed in your particular case. We can handle your accident claim and seek compensation from the at-fault driver. 

4 Examples of Car Accident Settlement Amounts

From minor car accident settlement amounts to major awards, you want to know what to expect after you have been in an accident. There is no true average settlement. But these four examples can help you understand what to expect from your car accident lawsuit.

1. Accidents That Result in Spinal Cord and Traumatic Brain Injuries

Two of the most serious injuries you can face are spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries. These are common injuries in car accidents, but they will feel very uncommon in your life. Victims of a back or head injury often face serious symptoms such as:

• Loss of bowel control and bladder function
• Loss of sexual function
• Impairment to senses such as sight and smell
• Cognitive damage
• Paralysis, partial or total

These claims commonly result in high settlement amounts, especially when liability is clear. When the other driver is at fault for your catastrophic injuries, the driver and their insurance company may offer a high settlement amount even without a trial. 

Settlements and jury verdicts may range from the tens of thousands to the millions, depending on the unique facts of your case.

2. Accidents That Result in Wrongful Death

Few things are as difficult as the tragic death of a loved one. When another person's negligence causes the death of a family member, you and other family members may be entitled to compensation for your grief, funeral costs, the deceased's lost income, and much more. 

The deceased family member may also be entitled to damages for what they suffered before they passed away, whether it was a short or long duration.

Wrongful death cases are common in car accidents but are especially prevalent in motorcycle accidents. These cases often result in some of the highest settlement amounts. Settlements may range from the hundreds of thousands to millions. 

Each case is different, but large settlement awards are not uncommon in wrongful death car accident cases.

3. Accidents That Result in Temporary or Minor Injuries

Drivers who suffer temporary or minor injuries are also entitled to compensation. Minor injuries may include scrapes, sprains, strains, or other temporary injuries. Even minor injuries can still be incredibly painful and you may be owed significant compensation despite the lesser nature of those injuries.

In these cases, settlement amounts are usually less than more serious claims. However, a fair settlement should still include all of your economic costs as well as compensation for the emotional and phycological damage you suffered. You may be eligible for tens of thousands of dollars in compensation for what others may characterize as minor injuries.

4. Accidents That Cause Property Damage

Most car accidents cause property damage. The main brunt of this property damage is usually to your car. A car may suffer thousands of dollars in needed repair, or it may be totaled due to the accident. You may be entitled to your car's actual value or even the replacement value of your vehicle.

You may be entitled to other property damages as well. These could include personal property in the car such as a cell phone, luggage, or other items that were damaged in the car wreck. Property damage claims happen alongside your other injury claims, but they can be thousands of dollars all on their own.

Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages in a Typical Car Accident Settlement

A car accident claim aims to win you financial compensation from the negligent party who caused your accident. There are two primary types of compensation available in personal injury lawsuits:

Economic Damages in Car Accident Claims

Economic damages are readily ascertainable amounts based on your costs. These amounts are proven by documentary evidence and testimony about the financial harm you suffered from your car accident. Economic damages typically include the following:

• Past and future medical treatment costs
• Costs of surgeries and specialized medical care
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy expenses
• Lost income and lost earning capacity
• Property damages
• Funeral expenses, in wrongful death cases

Non-Economic Damages in Car Accident Claims

Non-economic damages cannot be ascertained from documentary evidence and do not represent a direct financial cost. These are intangible losses based on what you have endured, such as:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of companionship and support (loss of consortium)
• Grief and loss of a loved one
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life

How Settlement Value Is Determined

Your car accident settlement value is determined by a great many factors. There is no exact formula for how many of these are determined. In fact, you cannot know exactly what your settlement will be until it is negotiated and finalized. However, your car accident attorney understands what to look for in your case to determine what you may be owed. 

The settlement value is usually determined by considering factors such as:

• The negligence, recklessness, or intentional acts of the at-fault party
• Whether the other driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• The comparative negligence of the injured party
• Whether pre-existing conditions impact the case
• The ability to prove how the accident happened
• The extent of your damages, both economic and non-economic
• The extent of the property damage
• The amount of insurance available from the other motorist or your insurance company

Our car accident attorneys will analyze these factors and many others to determine a fair settlement amount for your case. We vigorously pursue fair compensation for our clients and are ready to go to trial if the defendant refuses to offer fair compensation for your car accident injuries.

Contact a Car Accident Settlement Attorney Today

The car accident attorneys at Daniels Law stand ready to represent you and help you pursue a fair settlement of your claim. We know what you have been through and we offer compassionate representation at every stage of the litigation.

Schedule a consultation with a car accident attorney today to learn what your case may be worth.

Share this article