There is no certain way to identify the average settlement for a car accident claim because no two car accidents are exactly the same. Certain factors could increase or decrease the value of a prospective personal injury claim, such as your injuries, your job, and the insurance company.
A car accident lawyer from our firm can look at the facts of your case and determine which damages (and how much) you should pursue for compensation. When you obtain a free consultation, we can have a lawyer speaking to you within ten minutes.
Factors That Can Influence Your Car Accident Settlement
Although there is no way to figure out the average car accident settlement, many common factors can influence the potential settlement value, including:
Your Injuries
The more severe your injuries are, the higher your medical bills will be. With that, you might be able to request more money for compensation. We will take into account:
- The type of injuries
- The extent of your injuries
- The costs of treatment
- Your expected recovery time
We understand that you are in a stressful situation, and you just want financial support to help pay for your medical bills. Be aware that if you accept a settlement too soon, then it might not cover all your losses. In that case, it will be up to you to make up for the remainder of those expenses.
Your Work Life
It is possible that you have had to miss some time at work to heal your injuries. If you had quit your job or find a lower-paying job, then you could seek a recovery for:
- Lost business opportunity
- Vacation time
- Tips
- Hourly wages
- Commission
- Other benefits
You might be the breadwinner in your household, so don’t let this financial hardship keep you from getting the support you and your family need from a car accident settlement.
The Insurance Company
The insurance company will look for loopholes in your case. An insurance adjuster engages common ploys to avoid paying you the compensation you are entitled to receive. To make sure they can’t hold anything against you:
- Never admit any fault
- Avoid updating your status and posting pictures, especially of anything related to the accident, on social media
- Get medical attention as soon as you can
- Direct their messages to your lawyer
Once the negotiations start, they might offer you a lowball settlement. If neither can agree on an amount, consider filing a lawsuit. Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4 allows two years to bring a civil suit. If you do not follow this time limit, the other party will no longer be responsible for paying you your damages.
For a free legal consultation, call 317-636-7777
Damages You Can Recover in a Car Accident Settlement
A car accident settlement is not best understood in terms of a single dollar amount. Instead, there are many different types of compensation that are worth different amounts and attainable through a car accident settlement, such as:
Medical Expenses
Medical bills make up a large part of most car accident claims. You might be able to claim damages for:
- Hospital stays
- Surgeries
- Physical and chiropractic therapy
- Bloodwork and other bodily scans
- Medications
- Assistive medical devices
- Ongoing doctor’s appointments
Property Damage
As the cost of motor vehicles increases, the price of repairing these vehicles and other property damage increases as well. You can recover the costs of your car repairs or replacement if your car was totaled.
Pain and Suffering
Unlike many other types of compensation, pain and suffering damages are subjective. Still, you can receive compensation for injuries that restrict your movements and cause you emotional distress.
Lost Wages
The value of a lost wages claim depends on what a person was making prior to their injury. These claims could recover not only the wages lost before filing a claim or suit, but any long-term effects on compensation as well.
Keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive, so you might be entitled to recover other damages.
Discuss Your Car Accident Settlement With a Team Member
While general information regarding the basics of a car accident settlement can be helpful, you deserve more information about your case. The good news is that the attorneys at Sevenish Law Firm, P.C. can review your case and advise you on what your claim might be worth. In doing so, we can:
- Assess your damages
- Collect evidence
- Name the negligent party
- Manage communication
- Negotiate a settlement
- Address any of your questions and concerns regarding your case
- Update you on your case status
- Take your case to trial
- Represent you on a no-win, no-fee basis
Call Our Car Accident Attorneys to Discuss Your Legal Options
Don’t let the fact that there is no average settlement for a car accident keep you from pursuing the compensation you need. The car accident settlement experts at Sevenish Law can represent your case based on contingency, meaning that we require no fees to get started and only receive payment if we win your case.
Call or text 317-636-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
