It came out of nowhere.
You've just been in an auto accident and now it feels like your whole world is in a tailspin.
Maybe you were driving when another car came out of nowhere, or you were the passenger of a reckless driver. Either way, the pain you feel doesn't discriminate.
There is never a right time to be in an auto accident, but there can definitely be a wrong time. You may find yourself dealing with medical bills, auto repair bills, and emotional distress. All while trying to carry the load of your daily life. In these situations, you will most likely find yourself looking for a settlement just to make ends meet.
But how much to expect from car accident settlement? And how do you go about obtaining your settlement? We seek to answer these questions, starting with the source of any potential settlements.
Who Can I Expect a Settlement From?
If you've been in an accident, then either your insurance or the other driver's may be responsible for full or partial compensation.
If the accident was the fault of another driver's negligence, then their insurance should be responsible for compensating you for injuries and damages.
If you are at fault, and if you have collision insurance, then your insurance company will pay a certain amount for repairs, or a lump sum if the car is to be a total loss.
How Much to Expect from Car Accident Settlement
A variety of factors go into determining what a final settlement will look like. Even minor soft tissue injuries or concussions can cost a substantial sum. Just having a CT scan to check for a concussion can cost up to $10,000.
After all, it is fairly easy to calculate tangible losses like medical bills, repair bills, and missed wages. Emotional distress and physical pain, however, are more difficult to put a price on.
A good general rule is that a settlement will be something like three times the cost of your medical bills.
A judge will determine the total settlement owed, taking into account things like injuries sustained, the course of treatment required, length of any rehabilitation, and loss of income. If permanent injuries result, those will be reflected in the judge's decision as well.
Even if you don't think that you have been hurt, it is important to get examined by a doctor immediately. Pain and suffering compensation is only awarded if the injury from the accident can be proven, and waiting to be examined can undermine your efforts to get the compensation you deserve.
Should I Contact a Lawyer?
As mentioned, putting a price on material damage is fairly straightforward. You can expect to receive the amount you paid for repairs or the estimated value of your vehicle in the event of a total loss.
What a lawyer can help you with is winning fair compensation for pain and suffering. A good lawyer will argue your case to either the insurers or a judge, may submit details you might have missed or forgotten due to the stress of the incident, and help you win a payment beyond what the insurers would pay out voluntarily.
If you want to maximize how much to expect from a car accident settlement, we recommend reaching out to legal counsel.
If you have recently been injured in an auto accident, contact us to tell us about your case. We're dedicated to winning our clients the restitution that they deserve.
