The typical minor car accident settlement amount for cases in which only minor injuries occurred is much lower (generally between $10,000 – $15,000).
Table of Contents
Introduction
The American Bar Association (ABA) says that most personal injury cases are settled through insurance negotiations, though. Without knowing the outcome of every minor car accident case, there is no way to estimate the overall value accurately.
The average settlement amount for a car accident is approximately $41,783.00. This figure may be high compared to national averages across the United States because the data includes more car accident settlements involving serious injuries. The typical minor car accident settlement amount for cases in which only minor injuries occurred is much lower (generally between $10,000 – $15,000).
These averages do not necessarily inform a standard amount for every settlement. The circumstances surrounding every accident are unique, as are the characteristics of each truck, motorcycle, or car accident claim.
Before you jump into the fight to recover what you have lost, you might want to know the average settlement for car accident lawsuits in Louisiana State. Each accident is unique, but the experienced lawyers at the Breaux Law Firm can advise you on what to expect and aggressively protect your rights.
Key Factors That Determine Your Minor Car Accident Settlement
If your injuries are minor, such as cuts and bruises, your odds of a big settlement are low compared to someone with broken bones or internal injuries. But that does not mean you should abandon the idea of filing a claim. You still may be eligible for compensation for your injuries and pain and suffering.
Remember that auto insurance companies dislike paying personal injury settlements, whether they are for $5,000 or $50,000. They will search for ways to deny your claim or lowball you. So having the best possible evidence of the car accident, showing the other driver was at fault, and clear documentation of your injuries is vital.
Several factors affect the value of a car accident claim. Each of these can differ in every crash, but may include:
- The injuries suffered
- The treatment required
- Additional medical expenses
- Lost income and time away from work
- If injuries are long-term or cause permanent disabilities
- The damage to the vehicle
- The role each driver played in causing the crash
- The facts of the accident
Your recoverable damages in this type of case could include:
- Medical bills
- Lost income and reduced capacity to earn
- Property damages (including to your vehicle)
- Miscellaneous expenses
- Pain and suffering and other noneconomic losses
It is important that you give yourself the best chance to recover as much as possible in each category of damages.
Your lawyer can make sure all damage figures (including your average annual wage and life expectancy) are fairly calculated to maximize your recovery.
How To Calculate Pain and Suffering in a Minor Car Accident Settlement
You can be awarded pain and suffering compensation in a minor car accident settlement. But you will need to have strong proof of your pain and suffering to receive fair compensation. If you hire an attorney, he or she will help you prove your pain and suffering and roughly how much you may receive.
A common way to calculate pain and suffering damage is to multiply your economic damages – medical bills and lost earnings – by a multiplier from 1-5, based on how serious your injuries are. For minor injuries, the number used might be 1 or 2. So, if you have $5,000 in medical costs and your multiplier is 2, your settlement would be $10,000.
Note that a 4 or 5 multiplier is only used for more severe, long-term, or even permanent injuries, such as injury to the brain, spine, internal organs, etc.
Another way to calculate pain and suffering damages is to use a per diem method. For instance, if your physician thinks it will take you 30 days to recover, your attorney may demand $150 per day. This would provide you with $4,500 in compensation for your injuries.
You can use our website’s injury settlement calculator to help calculate your pain and suffering damages.
What Is a Fair Settlement for a Minor Car Accident?
A fair settlement fully compensates the victim for their financial losses and emotional suffering. This may include compensation for:
- Physical injuries
- Property damages
- Mental injuries
- Pain and suffering
In addition to your damages, the law matters too; if you have a great case based on the law that applies in your state, a fair settlement should be higher than when there’s room for doubt about the facts or the law.
How Can I Help My Settlement?
Your attorney has sophisticated legal tools to unearth the best evidence available for your case, but there is a lot you can do to help increase your case’s settlement value. Steps that can help your settlement include:
- Providing your attorney with all accident reports,
- Gathering and providing your attorney with all witness information,
- Following all medical advice,
- Provide your lawyer with any accident and injury photographs you have,
- Staying within your healthcare provider’s work and activity restrictions,
- Gathering and providing your attorney with all related receipts and invoices,
- Providing your attorney with detailed job descriptions and wage records,
- Keeping detailed notes regarding how your life has changed since the accident, and
- Providing your lawyer with all related medical records.
Each piece of evidence can help your lawyer maximize your damages and diminish your fault in the eyes of the insurance company and court. With this information, your lawyer can also better assess and help provide any additional medical or financial assistance you might need to make you whole.
Maximize The Compensation Of Your Car Accident Settlement
A car accident lawyer helps you maximize the compensation of your car accident settlement by collecting evidence, handling the legal process, and negotiating with the insurance company. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, immediately seek medical attention. Due to the statute of limitations, it’s important to get started on your claim as soon as possible.
Request a free case evaluation from a personal injury attorney at breauxlaw, or call (504) 882 0547 to get started.