Car accidents can have devastating long-term effects – especially when injuries occur. Therefore, it is only fair to start thinking about compensation after the initial shock of being involved in a car accident. After all, you deserve a settlement amount that can help ease your pain and suffering.
However, what are the average payouts for car accident injury claims? How long will it take to get fair compensation? Well, read on to learn about car accident injury claims process and the expected average payout.
What is the Average Payout for a Car Accident Injury Claim?
Determining the exact compensation amount after a car accident is almost impossible. For starters, no two accidents are exactly alike. Therefore, the amount of money you receive will range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to millions, depending on certain factors.
However, the 2018 Insurance Information Institute (III) survey estimates that the average payout for car accident injury claims is $15,785 for bodily injury and $3,841 for property damage.
Factors that Affect the Average Payouts for Car Accidents Injury Claims
Your situation and the amount of damages will dictate the compensation amount in any lawsuit. As a rule, you need to get compensation that equals the amount of damage. Therefore, it should cover the costs that resulted from the accident. Below are the key factors that will determine car accident settlement amounts:
State Laws
The amount of compensation you receive after a car accident will depend on your state laws. Every state has a unique set of car accident laws. However, at-fault states let you make personal injury claims after a car accident – despite suffering minor injuries. Therefore, at-fault states have more car accident injury claims per year compared to no-fault states. Below is an in-depth list of the 12 no-fault states:
- Hawaii
- Kentucky
- Florida
- Kansas
- Utah
- Michigan
- Pennsylvania
- New York
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- North Dakota
- New Jersey
Financial Losses Incurred
You are entitled to receive compensation for all financial losses resulting from a car accident. It can include medical expenses and wages lost. You are also entitled to compensation for any money lost when your car was totaled or damaged.
Injury Severity
Being hospitalized after suffering severe injuries from a car accident will usually attract a higher claim amount. Individuals that walk away from an auto accident with minor bruises generally get a lower compensation amount. However, not all injuries are physical. Therefore, the law classifies injuries into the following categories:
- Mental Pain and Suffering
Essentially, any emotional distress resulting from an accident falls under this category. Because these damages are hard to identify, you will have a tougher time proving them. Luckily, Attorney Jeff Injury Lawyers can help you prove mental pain and suffering to guarantee you get fair compensation.
- Physical Pain and Suffering
Identifying physical pain and suffering is rather easy. It includes injuries such as back issues and broken bones. However, it also encompasses any pain or suffering that you are likely to endure in the future as a result of a car accident.
Car Insurance Policies
Auto insurance companies include policy limits that can impact the compensation amount. These insurance companies have a maximum amount for each car accident injury claim. However, people involved in a crash that don’t have insurance coverage risk severe penalties – even when not at fault.
Liability
You will get fair compensation if you can prove you are not responsible for the car accident. The easier it is to prove, the higher your chances of getting a substantial settlement. Payouts tend to be reduced should there be doubt about who was at fault.
How Are Car Accident Damages Calculated?
Are you trying to figure out what to ask for in your car accident injury claim? At Attorney Jeff, our car accident lawyers can help you evaluate your car accident settlement amount. Below are some of the factors to consider when filing a car accident injury claim:
- Amount of lost wages due to a car accident
- Pain and suffering damage
- Present and future medical bills due to the auto accident
Start by adding up all the above to get a rough estimation of your car accident injury claim amount.
Steps to Ensuring You Get Maximum Compensation from Your Car Accident Injury Claim
Proving factors such as pain and suffering due to a car accident can be difficult. Therefore, you need the help of a car accident lawyer with years of experience. Below are a few ways these lawyers can help maximize your settlement:
- Collecting Evidence
Collecting evidence after a car accident can be rather difficult. Your lawyer will help you gather any available accident that can persuade the court to give you fair compensation. However, exchange information with any eyewitness at the scene of the accident if you can.
- File a Car Accident Injury Claim Immediately
Your chances of getting the compensation you deserve increase when you file your car accident injury claim as soon as possible. It also ensures you get compensated early enough, thus allowing you to clear medical bills. Also, every state has a statute of limitations for filing a car accident injury claim. Car accident lawyers from Attorney Jeff will ensure your claim is filled as soon as possible.
Let Us Help
Getting legal help is the first step towards ensuring you get fair compensation in a car accident injury claim. Therefore, you need to reach out to AttorneyJeff today to get a favorable settlement offer. You get to focus on healing while we ensure you get the justice you deserve.