How Much Is My Car Accident Settlement Worth?

• June 27, 2024
• Attorney David Mann
• Car Accidents

If you have been in a car accident, you may have many expenses, from medical bills to wages lost due to an inability to work.  If you were not at fault for the car accident, you should pursue a claim against the other driver.  Because of the changes in your financial situation, one of the questions you may be asking yourself is, how much is my car accident settlement worth?

That depends on many things. The more severe and long-lasting your injuries, generally, the greater the value of your case. The amount of your medical bills and lost wages also play a role.

How Much Is My Car Accident Settlement Worth?

There are many factors to deciding what’s a fair settlement for a car accident claim. They include:

• Medical expenses: This is a way to measure your harm. There’s an assumption that the higher your medical bills, the worse your injury. Expenses include the treatment you’ve gotten in the past and what you’re expected to need in the future. They include doctor’s appointments, diagnostic tests, rehabilitation, hospital stays, surgeries and medications.
• Property damage: This covers the damage caused to your car and any personal items inside.
• Lost earnings: This is the pay and benefits you lost because you missed work and are expected to miss in the future. If you suffer a permanent disability that reduces your future ability to make money, this could be a substantial amount.

While these are some of the factors that go into figuring out a settlement, there are other factors that will come into play, such as:

• Negotiations with the insurance company
• What you’re willing to accept
• What they’re willing to pay.

The strength of your evidence plays a big role in the insurance company’s willingness to offer a fair settlement. The weaker the evidence, the less the insurance company will want to pay. Strong evidence like witness statements, the other driver’s arrest, or video of the accident should boost the insurance carrier’s desire to settle your case.

What is the Average Settlement For a Car Accident?

While every auto accident is different in fault and severity, the latest statistics show that the average car liability claim for property damage was $3,841 and the average auto liability claim for bodily injury was $15,785.  This doesn’t mean that you will receive less than these amounts, nor does it mean that you will receive higher.  Each case is different, so it is important to speak with a knowledgeable and experienced car accident lawyer.

There are many issues to think about when attempting to figure out an estimated settlement amount for your car accident.

• Whose fault was the accident? – If the other driver is found to be at fault for the car accident, your settlement amount will be higher than if you were both at fault.  Georgia is a comparative fault state, which means that you will receive some compensation as long as you were less than 50% at fault.  The less you are at fault, the more money you will probably receive.
• Were all of your injuries provided to the insurance company? – As we have shown, the more severe your injuries are, the more money you have a right to receive in your settlement.  It is very important to show all of the injuries you sustained from the accident.  Also, some injuries do not show up until weeks or months after an accident, so that information is important to have as well.
• Did you wait too long to make a claim? – Generally, car accident victims have two years from their injury, or the discovery of their injury, to file a lawsuit. Your case will be dismissed if you wait too long to sue, without a compelling reason for the delay. Your case will have no value. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, contact us as soon as you can. Don’t wait anywhere near two years before getting legal help.
• Did you follow the doctor’s orders? – Insurance companies will know if you missed any important doctor appointments or are not following the regimen your doctor has prescribed.  If you do not take your prescriptions as directed or you perform physical activity that you were told not to do, that can have an affect on the settlement you receive.  One important piece of advice we give all of our clients is to avoid going on social media and posting pictures or videos.  The private investigators hired by the insurance companies are always looking at social media for evidence against you.

Typical Car Accident Settlement Amounts?  Call Us to Find Out.

We hope that this blog post answered some of your questions about how much your car accident settlement is worth.  All car accidents are different, and some are more complex than others, so it is difficult to provide an exact amount for your claim.

The Mann Law Firm deals firmly and aggressively with insurance companies so they won’t take advantage of our clients. When a personal injury attorney takes a case, its settlement value normally greatly increases. After we’re involved, we will deal with the insurance company so you can focus on recovery and getting your life back together. We can bring you results and peace of mind.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, call our car accident lawyer in Macon at (478) 742-3381 and set up a free consultation today. You pay no fee unless we win your case.