What Is the Average Car Accident Settlement?

On This Page

1. The Following Factors May Contribute to the Value of Your Car Accident Claim
2. Your Settlement May Account for These (and other) Damages
3. How Come We don’t Know the Average Car Accident Settlement?
4. Why Work with Berger and Green on Your Car Accident case?

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

There is no average car accident settlement. Every case is different. Some relatively minor accidents receive four-figure settlements, while others receive seven-figure awards.

The value of your case will ultimately rest on the facts of your situation. Our law firm can assess your claim and estimate the value of your past, present, and future damages. Because of our experience, we understand the value of your losses and can effectively negotiate with the liable insurer.

The Following Factors May Contribute to the Value of Your Car Accident Claim

There are many factors that may affect the overall value of your losses, including:

• The severity of your injuries. The more serious your condition, the higher your medical bills. Your case’s value should account for your current and future healthcare expenses.
• The time you missed from work. Your lost tips, bonuses, income, benefits, and promotions can contribute to your settlement’s value.
• Your physical state. If your collision resulted in a lifelong disability (such as paralysis), you can seek compensation for in-home accommodations, therapy, and mental anguish. All these things are compensable.
• Your percentage of fault. If your own negligence contributed to the incident, this will reduce your settlement’s value. For instance, if your negligence caused 20 percent of the collision, your damages award would be reduced by 20 percent.
• Your property damage expenses. The cost of replacing or repairing your vehicle can contribute to the value of your claim. We may also consider your car’s diminished value when estimating your losses.
• Whether you qualify for punitive damages. Punitive damages are intended to punish a negligent party for their egregious conduct. For instance, a serial drunk driver may be ordered to pay punitive damages on top of the injured party’s economic and non-economic losses.
• The liable insurance policy’s limits. Some insurance policies only cover damages up to a certain amount. The liable policy’s limits may impact the amount you can request from the at-fault party. If your damages exceed the liable policy’s amount, we can file a civil lawsuit and pursue additional compensation if warranted.

Your Settlement May Account for These (and other) Damages

Depending on the nature of your accident, you could recover:

Economic Damages (or Losses with Financial Values)

Compensable economic damages may include:

• Past and future medical bills, including hospitalization, surgeries, and follow-up care
• Lost income, as well as other job-related losses
• Property damage expenses
• Transportation costs, such as taking rideshare vehicles or public transit
• Funeral expenses (if your loved one lost their life in the collision)

Your lawyer will calculate these losses based on your injury-related receipts, billing statements, employment records, and medical records. We may also consult with economists to estimate the value of your future losses.

Non-Economic Damages (or Losses with Non-Monetary Values)

Your non-economic damages refer to losses that pertain to your physical and emotional trauma. For instance, pain and suffering is just one non-economic damage you can seek. Other examples include:

• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium
• Disability
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Mental anguish
• Pain and suffering
• Embarrassment and humiliation

We will fight for every penny you are owed.

How You Can Pursue a Settlement Sfter Your Car Accident

You could secure compensation through one of these avenues:

Filing an Insurance Claim

Every motorist in Pennsylvania must carry auto insurance, as explained by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. Following an accident, you file a claim with the at fault party’s insurance provider. Ideally, it’ll offer you compensation that accounts for your losses. If not, however, your lawyer can negotiate a settlement, or file a lawsuit.

Filing a Civil Lawsuit

Your lawyer may file a lawsuit against the at-fault party if the insurance company refuses to settle. Generally, you have two years from the date of your auto accident to file a lawsuit, per 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524. This involves:

• Giving testimony
• Arguing your case
• Understanding courtroom procedure
• Presenting your case’s evidence
• Managing communications with the other party
• Establishing negligence
• Crafting a compelling argument to the judge and jury

You can rest assured that we will do everything necessary to complete your case.

How Come We don’t Know the Average Car Accident Settlement?

As previously mentioned, many claims resolve through insurance settlements. These settlements are confidential; the only ones privy to the outcome are the involved claimants, their lawyers, and the liable insurance providers.

Lawsuits are a different matter. Often, the results of these cases are public record. However, without understanding every case’s outcome, we cannot provide an accurate estimate regarding the average settlement value of every collision claim.

Why Work with Berger and Green on Your Car Accident case?

Berger and Green has more than 40 years of experience practicing personal injury law. Once we evaluate your case, we can seek a car accident settlement that leaves you with no out-of-pocket expenses.

We encourage you to connect with our team today. During our conversation, we can discuss the value of your damages, the severity of your injuries, and your case’s possible outcome.

To begin your free case review, dial (412) 661-1400.