Settlement Amounts You Can Expect With an Accident

A car accident that ends in a visit to the hospital is a serious issue. During and after these events, it's normal to speculate over the settlement amount received for your injuries. A settlement can also help you pay general monthly living expenses from missed time at work, medical bills, and co-pay fees associated with them.

Settlements are typically reached through insurers. However, you can also file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver for compensation. The amount you receive can change depending on the specifics of your case. Each case is unique, and any detail relating to the accident can affect the final sum.

The Emotional Toll of a Crash

A car accident will not result only in physical injuries. Victims often suffer from emotional scars, as well. Sadly, the psychological dimension is often overlooked by experts and victims alike. Nevertheless, the consequences can have a very real impact on daily life.

If you were diagnosed with any of the conditions below, it should increase your settlement amount. Make sure to follow the treatment plan set by your therapist and document your progress. Gather as much evidence as you can about your state to go beyond the typical car accident settlement amounts.

Depression

Depression is a common medical illness that can severely impair the quality of your life. Symptoms include feeling sad, not gaining pleasure from activities that previously brought you joy, disrupted sleep, and more. If you have experienced such symptoms over two weeks, contact a mental health therapist for a consultation.

Anxiety

Anxiety is often described as a feeling of fear without an object. It is a general and diffused emotion that can overshadow the quality of your life. You might not be able to do certain mundane acts due to intense anxiety.

PTSD

Some car accident victims experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Symptoms can include vivid flashbacks of the traumatic event, trouble sleeping, nightmares, and more. As with all conditions, the intensity of the disorder can vary. The milder forms allow the person to follow a relatively normal life; however, the chronic form can cause major disruptions.

The Physical Toll of a Crash

To calculate an estimate of a possible settlement amount, an attorney gathers information about the costs of treating your injuries and recovery. Your medical expenses heavily factor into the compensation amount. This includes scans, time spent in a hospital, costs for surgeries, X-rays, and more.

Make sure to keep hard copies of every medical document, including receipts. Documentation is evidence, and you'll need to provide this to an accident attorney.

Furthermore, you can collect damages for pain and suffering, such as cuts, bruises, and disfigurements. These are easy to allocate when there is plenty of evidence to back up your claim.

Whether or not you'll get what's estimated by an attorney isn't always clear. However, the chances of a successful outcome increase when the injury requires hospitalization immediately following the accident. When the injuries are severe enough to impact the victim's ability to work and there are no pre-existing conditions, it is easier to reach a favorable settlement.

Other factors that increase the likelihood of a large settlement include the following:

● Permanent disfigurement - Any scars that lead to disfigurement, such as a deep mark on the face, are grounds for an increase in settlement amounts.

● Inability to move body parts - Severe damage to limbs and other parts can impede the victim's ability to work. They might need to change careers or may be unable to work at all.

Filing a Claim With an Insurance Company

Large auto insurance companies typically aim to pay injured victims between $15,000-$20,000. However, this heavily depends on the severity of the injury and fault. However, serious injury isn't the case for most car accidents, which is why the average amount isn't very high.

Here are more settlement averages based on the type of injury:

● Neck and back injuries - Unless it's a minor case of whiplash, neck and spinal injuries can result in large settlements in the six-figure range. The average settlement for spine injuries is between $100,000-$200,000.

● Ruptured disc - Ruptured discs can cause pain that lasts for many years or even the rest of an accident victim's life. Nationwide, payouts are about $300,000, though the amount settled shouldn't be expected to get this high.

Great Expectations

Accident attorneys know how to gather your expenses to help you get a settlement that equals the damages suffered during a car accident. Many firms offer a free initial consultation for potential clients.