There is no average settlement figure for minor car accidents. Why? Because the outcomes of many settlements are confidential. When an injured party agrees to accept money from an insurance company, those details are not public record. However, if the case goes to court and the plaintiff recovers compensation, those details do become public record.
The American Bar Association (ABA) says that most personal injury cases are settled through insurance negotiations, though. Without knowing the outcome of every minor car accident case, there is no way to provide an accurate estimate of the overall value.
What Factors Can Determine the Value of Your Case?
You might wonder if you even need a lawyer for your minor car accident. A lawyer can work with you to determine if your collision merits compensation for your damages and can also handle insurance companies on your behalf when filing a claim. Here are some things that will have a direct impact on the value of your car accident claim:
The Cost of Your Medical Expenses
If your injuries require prolonged and intensive medical care, your healthcare costs may be high. Depending on the nature of your injuries, your settlement value could account for the following:
- Imaging tests
- Medications
- Hospitalization
- Physical therapy
- Mental health counseling
- Prosthetics
- In-home assistance
- Assistive devices
- Treatment
When you partner with our team, we will account for your medical costs’ past, present, and future expenses.
Your Quality of Life
When determining a settlement value for your minor car accident case, we will need to ask ourselves the following questions:
- Are you able to work?
- Are you able to care for your children and do things around the house?
- Has your mobility or cognitive function been affected?
- Has your physical appearance been affected?
- How long will your recovery period last?
- Have your injuries affected your relationship with your spouse?
The answers to these questions can help us assign value to your non-economic losses, like pain and suffering.
How Much Time You Missed From Work
Your earning power could have been affected by your injuries. If you are unable to work in any capacity, we can include this hardship in your case. Using your employment records and information from your boss, we can pursue lost:
- Wages
- Commissions
- Hourly rates
- Bonuses
- Employee benefits
- Tips
We can include other losses depending on the nature of your profession.
Your Pain Levels
While the car accident itself may have been minor, that does not mean that your injuries weren’t. If your injuries left you in excruciating pain or otherwise impeded your day-to-day function, you can receive compensation for these hardships.
Factors that will determine the value of your pain and suffering include:
- Whether you can live on your own
- Whether you can maintain your preferred mode of employment
- Your daily pain levels
- Your overall function
- What maximum medical improvement in your case looks like
We can speak to your friends, colleagues, and family members to learn more about your quality of life after getting hurt.
The Extent of Your Vehicle’s Damage
Even though your car accident may have been minor, if you were driving an older car, the impact could have rendered it inoperable. We can gather evidence to prove the cost of fixing or replacing your car.
For a free legal consultation, call (404) 888-8888
Our Law Firm Can Use Documentation to Prove the Value of Your Case
Here are some pieces of information that we will examine when calculating the value of your car accident case:
- Your employment records. These documents will tell us how much income you lost and how much time you missed from work.
- Your medical bills. We will use these records to calculate the value of your necessary medical treatments and related expenses.
- Invoices and billing statements. We can use these records to determine the cost of paying for your property’s damage, as well as calculating other miscellaneous expenses.
We may also consult economists to learn more about your diminished earning potential and other losses.
What Can You Expect From the Financial Recovery Process?
Earlier, we said that most car accident claims are settled through insurance negotiations, which involves:
- Sending your demand letter
- Understanding the value of your losses
- Negotiating a settlement
- Counteracting bad faith insurance practices
- Reading the liable policy
- Managing communications
If your case cannot be resolved through insurance negotiations, we can file your lawsuit in civil court. At this point, the outcome of your case will be decided on by a judge and jury.
To keep this option open, you will need to file your car accident lawsuit in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, otherwise known as Georgia’s statute of limitations.
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Connect With Bader Law Injury Lawyers Today
Although we cannot speak to the average settlement for a minor car accident, our firm can use a variety of resources to calculate your claim’s value. We have recovered millions for injured people in Georgia, and we are determined to resolve your case at no upfront cost to you.
To begin a free case review, dial 404.888.8888 or fill out our online contact form today.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
