What Is The Average Settlement For A Car Accident

There is no dependable average settlement for a car accident because settlement values depend on the facts of each claim. A case involving minor soft-tissue injuries and limited treatment may be worth far less than one involving surgery, permanent impairment, traumatic brain injury or long-term inability to work. Important factors include medical expenses, future treatment, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, property damage, the clarity of fault and available insurance coverage. State law also matters. In Pennsylvania, for example, comparative negligence can reduce a claimant’s recovery when they share responsibility for the collision, and the type of auto insurance selected can affect the right to pursue certain damages. Published “average settlement” numbers often combine very different claims and can create unrealistic expectations. A better estimate comes from reviewing medical evidence, wage losses, prognosis, liability evidence and insurance limits. Settlement value can also change as treatment progresses and the long-term effects of an injury become clearer.