If you have been in a car accident and sustained injuries, you may wonder if it is worth filing a claim against the driver responsible for the accident since it may require too much effort to get too little money to cover your medical expenses and other costs you have had to incur. If so, you may want to read more about car accidents here to understand what items are covered in car accident settlements and how much your case might be worth.
Who Will Pay for My Expenses After Being in a Car Accident?
One question you may have is who is responsible for your injuries and who will give you the funds you need to handle your medical treatments. You may find that either your insurance or the policy of the other driver may be responsible for compensating you for your injuries and damages. In cases where the injured party also has collision coverage on their vehicle and if the wreck was mainly their fault, the insurance company will also pay a certain amount to take care of the vehicle damage.
Should the costs to repair the vehicle exceed the value of the car itself, the insurance company may decide that the car is a total loss and you will receive a lump sum based on the vehicle’s market value before the accident.
If the accident was due to the negligent actions of the other party, the insurance company of the other driver should compensate you for your damages, losses, and pain and suffering. If so, you may be offered a low amount to start and you will need an experienced personal injury attorney to help you get a fair amount for your damages and losses.
What Are the Average Car Accident Settlement Amounts?
It is difficult to place an exact value on a car accident settlement since every accident is unique and victims sustain all types of injuries. Here is a basic guideline of the amount you may expect, based on different types of personal injury claims:
- Minor injuries in car accidents tend to settle for $10,000 to $25,000.
- Serious injuries that have long-term consequences and call for lengthy physical therapy or surgery settle for $50,000 to $75,000.
- Accidents that result in spinal injuries with life-altering consequences settle for between $75,000 and $100,000.
- Accidents that result in victims suffering brain injuries and requiring lifelong care and therapies settle between $100,000 and $250,000.
- If there are severe brain injuries or paralysis that call for the victim to need daily assistance for the rest of their lives, the average settlement can add up to millions.
Unfortunately, if you are dealing with an insurance policy that has a limit, you will not be able to recover more than the limits set by the policy. If this limit is too low and your expenses too high, you would have to sue the liable party directly and hope they have the required financial situation to cover your losses and damages.
Additionally, you may be asking for compensation for pain and suffering. If so, you may have to have your lawyer help you calculate the value of your case and how much you can expect to receive for this intangible item.
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