Car accidents are a very common thing these days. It seems like there is some kind of a crash in my local area every couple of hours. And, I think it makes sense considering how many vehicles there are in my city, in this country, and on the entire planet. I would guess that there are more than a billion vehicles right now on the planet which are on the road every day. Unfortunately, these very common accidents also cost a lot. Repairing your car after a crash is not cheap, which is why you probably should aim to get a settlement.
But, how much exactly will that settlement cover the damages of your car? Will you be able to repair every single problem or will you have enough to fix the essentials? Well, there isn’t exactly a straight answer to this question. It really depends on the situation. For example, if you are the person that caused the accident, you won’t get any kind of settlement. If the other party is the cause of the crash, the settlement might be a larger sum.
All of this tells that there are a lot of variables and factors we have to consider before coming to any kind of conclusion regarding this subject. If you have found yourself in such a situation and you are interested in what is the average settlement for a car accident, make sure you read this article to the end.
Injuries
One of the biggest factors that will influence the size of the settlement is the injuries done to the victim.
Some kind of body harm always happens during a car crash. Whether it is a small scratch, a friction burn, a broken rib, it happens. But, the final settlement will depend on the severity of the injury. You cannot expect a large sum of money for a couple of scratches. But, you can expect a big sum if some serious harm has been done to you or your passengers. Something like a broken bone, concussion, impaired vision, or more permanent damage can lead to a huge settlement.
This is why it is very important to go to the hospital after a car crash to determine the injuries you have endured during the accident. You can then use the hospital discharge papers in court if it comes to that.
Experts claim that the average compensation after a more serious injury is around $50,000.
The lawyer you pick
Believe it or not, but even if it is obvious that that the other driver was at fault, there is still a chance that the victim does not receive any kind of settlement. I know, it sounds crazy, but it happens and often too. Insurance companies will do everything in their power to pay as little money as possible. And, they usually succeed in doing this, especially when they are faced with someone without a lawyer.
Without any kind of experience in law, Cunningham & Mears believe that the chances of getting even the average settlement are very low. This is why I advise everyone who has been in a car accident to immediately hire a lawyer. Although, you should first do some research before you hire anyone, still, it is best to do it as fast as possible.
Why? Many people have asked this question and I think the answer is very obvious. The amount of time you will save by hiring an expert on these kinds of situations is very worth it. Instead of spending time collecting evidence and talking with insurance companies, you can stay at home, relax or go to work if you want. The lawyer that you hire will basically do everything for you. If they ever need some kind of information, they will just contact you, they won’t bother you with unnecessary calls or home visits.
Damage to the car
Another very important factor that can have a huge influence on the settlement is the total damage done to the car during the collision.
A vehicle is a big investment and usually has an important part in everyone’s life. It may be your only transportation that can get you to work, to your kid’s school and home. Without it, you are stuck at home and losing a day’s pay. This is why it is vital that you repair it as quickly as possible. But, this is where the settlement comes in. The money that you will get out of it, will be used to make the repairs. The more severe the damages, the more money you will get.
For example, if there are only a couple of scratches on the paint or dents, you will probably get a couple hundred or thousand dollars. However, if there is serious damage done to the engine, transmission, drivetrain, or other important parts of every vehicle, the money you get may be up to tens of thousands of dollars.
Trauma and suffering
A car accident is not something that you can take lightly. It is a traumatic event that can cause serious mental problems for the rest of life. In fact, many people have been diagnosed with PTSD after living through a scary vehicle accident.
This is the reason why mental harm can have a much stronger impact on the settlement than physical harm. Most of the time, physical injuries will heal. It may take a couple of days, a couple of months or even a year, but at least they heal. Mental trauma might stick around for dozens of years. It may even stick around for a person’s entire life. Nobody can know the future or the outcome of mental problems such as panic attacks or PTSD.
The more traumatic event is, the more money you will be able to get. This is why I would recommend getting out psychic evaluation and then use that evidence in court or to convince an insurance company.
It seems like the amount of money you can get out of the settlement can vary by a lot. It can be just a few hundred dollars, but it can also be a hundred thousand dollars. With the help of a lawyer, I’m sure you will be able to achieve a settlement that will satisfy your needs.
