What’s the Average Car Accident Settlement?
September 26, 2018

A common question after someone gets into a car accident is, “What is my crash claim worth?” Filing an insurance claim and negotiating a settlement will go smoother if the victim has a general idea of the value of his or her case. Knowing what your case might be worth can help you make decisions such as whether you need a lawyer. Although each car accident claim in Arizona is unique, it is possible to get an idea of the value of a case through crash compensation averages. Speak to a Phoenix car accident lawyer for more case-specific information.

What Are the Parts of the Average Car Accident Settlement?

Part of what makes the value of each car accident settlement different is that no two victims experience exactly the same losses. How much income a victim makes, the extent of injury, price of medical care, and value of the vehicle can all affect damage calculations. Start understanding the average car accident settlement by looking at the pieces that make the whole. The Arizona courts split damages into three main categories:

1. Special. Special damages refer to an individual’s exact monetary losses arising from the collision. These damages include past and future medical expenses, the costs of surgeries or other treatments, the value of lost wages and earning opportunities. It is usually possible to predict special damages accurately based on the amount the victim has incurred in bills.
2. General. General damages are those most car accident victims collectively experience from the pain and trauma of being in a crash. They may include emotional trauma, psychological impacts, mental anguish, lost enjoyment of life, lost companionship, and physical pain and suffering. These damages are more difficult to predict, as their value can depend on how well a victim demonstrates his/her losses to a jury.
3. Punitive. Punitive damages don’t apply to all car accident claims. It is an additional form of compensation a judge may decide to award if he/she doesn’t think compensatory damages are enough. Punitive damages are most common in cases where the defendant is guilty of gross negligence, such as drunk driving, or intent to harm.

Calculating what your car accident case could be worth can help give you an edge during settlement negotiations. Since your case will be like no other, it’s important to look at exactly how the crash impacted you and what this could mean for your claim’s value. That way you’ll have a more exact amount on which to base your negotiations. Now that you have a clear picture of the components involved in the average settlement, take a look at average amounts.

How Much to Expect for a Car Accident Settlement

A culmination of car accident claim data shows the average car accident settlement falls between $14,000 and $28,000 – or right around $21,000. The average value of a more serious car accident is around $31,000. The more serious the injuries and damages involved, the higher the claim value. A car accident that causes a spinal cord injury and permanent paralysis, for example, might be worth hundreds of thousands on average, due to the lifetime costs related to the injury. Some plaintiffs will receive millions of dollars in damages depending on the circumstances. In general, a personal injury trial will result in higher compensation than an insurance settlement.

It is difficult to estimate what your case could be worth based on averages alone. The versatile nature of car accident claims means that each case is unique. Something as unpredictable as the impressions of the jury could greatly impact the value of your case. The average settlement amount might be nowhere near what you could potentially receive. The best way to learn more about your individual car accident settlement is through a free case evaluation with a Phoenix injury lawyer.