No two personal injury cases are the same. Case settlements for auto accidents differ based on so many factors. Thus, it’s difficult to give a ballpark range of how much you can expect from a car accident settlement. Read on to get you a better idea of how much you might receive and what affects your car accident settlement amount.

Generally speaking, the more serious the injuries are, the higher the settlement will be. What your insurance will cover also plays a role in determining the amount since Florida is a no-fault state. This means that regardless of who is at fault, each individual must pay for a certain amount of the damages sustained from the accident. You may file a lawsuit against the other party when the damages go beyond the coverage of your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance.

Minor Injuries

If you sustained minor injuries from the accident, such as a whiplash, joint tissue damage, or concussions, you may expect settlement of anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000. This settlement will cover the cost of treatment for your minor injuries that are expected to get better in a short period.

Long-Lasting Injuries

Some minor injuries, such as knee and foot trauma and hearing loss, may have some long-lasting effects and thus require long-term treatment. In certain instances, these types of injuries may never fully heal and could merit a higher settlement of $50,000 to $100,000.

Spinal Injuries

Spinal injuries such as a herniated disk and paralysis are dangerous. They often pose serious complications and require surgery and long-term physical therapy. As such, settlements involving spinal injuries may range from $75,000 to $100,000. However, paralyzing or life-threatening injuries may result in a higher amount.

Brain Injuries

Brain injuries may also lead to serious complications, including cognitive impairment or permanent loss of function. Brain injuries require expensive surgery, extensive treatment, and high maintenance in some cases. With all of those considered, plus the victim’s loss of income, the settlement could be $100,000 to $250,000.

Psychological Injuries

Surviving a car accident is a traumatic experience. Aside from the physical injuries, some individuals may suffer from various psychological disorders following a car accident. One of the most common psychological disorders resulting from car accidents is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Anxiety and depression are also likely to develop after an accident. Psychological injuries are often life-long conditions that require continuous treatment, so depending on the severity, you may get a settlement of $10,000 to $250,000.

Permanent Physical Disability

Whether it is a severed limb or brain damage, permanent physical disability will forever change an individual’s life. Aside from the medical bills that will accumulate due to long-term physical therapy, this type of injury could alter a person’s ability to function on their own and earning capacity.
For permanent physical disabilities, the settlement may go up from $250,000 and may even reach millions.

Getting The Compensation You Deserve

The settlement amounts mentioned above are averages from past car accident settlements. They should give you an idea of up to how much you can demand from the at-fault party. However, the actual amount that will be given ultimately depends on your case.

Here are some steps you can take to make sure that you get the compensation you deserve after being injured from a car accident:

• Document Everything – Write down what happened, take pictures of the incident if you can, take note of the other person’s details, and keep your medical receipts. Document everything that you can as this will help your lawyer later on.

• Get Medical Attention – You should seek medical attention as soon as you can after a car accident. This will help you establish the injuries you sustained from the car crash and serve as strong proof that you indeed sustained the injuries from the accident.

• Hire A Car Accident Attorney – Your attorney is someone who will have your best interests in mind and make sure you get the right compensation you deserve. They will negotiate with the insurance company as well as the other party. Having a car accident attorney also helps in case you need to go to trial.