Drivers find the experience of operating a car convenient for accomplishing daily tasks or delightful when leisurely exploring iconic landmarks and diverse cultural scenes. Unfortunately, things can suddenly take a turn for the worse when on the road. Even the most cautious motorists can get caught in unexpected collisions and eventually find themselves processing car crash settlements due to someone else’s negligence.
Before victims even get a chance to think about moving on with their lives, the reality of deliberating over legal and financial considerations is likely to sink in first. They will try to find answers to a barrage of questions, such as how to increase settlement value or how long a car settlement takes.
Understandably, handling the complexities of a personal injury settlement can be intimidating. However, it does not have to be. Affected individuals can choose to prepare themselves for the legal fight. This explainer aims to guide them as they confront the insurance claim process and seek fair compensation with the help of a car accident lawyer.
How do car accident settlements work?
An auto accident settlement is a financial agreement between the parties involved in a collision, which entails a negotiated amount paid by the at-fault party’s insurance company to the injured driver. The car accident compensation may cover any of the following:
- Medical expenses: Hospital bills, prescriptions and potential rehabilitation expenditures
- Property costs: Vehicle repairs or replacements
- Lost wages: Earning deprivations due to injuries
- Physical and emotional traumas: Distresses caused by the accident
Before reaching a legally binding settlement through a formal car crash lawsuit or an out-of-court agreement, it will be strategic for any victim to assess all factors involved with close legal supervision; in the case of Seattleites, their Seattle personal injury attorney.
What are the factors influencing car crash settlement amounts?
With the mounting expenses, victims often wonder how much car accident settlement they can receive. However, in Seattle or any other city across the country, there is no fixed amount. Every car accident claim is unique because the circumstances around each case vary. Some factors to consider that can influence the amount include:
- The severity of injuries: The more serious the injuries are, the higher the settlement can be. Permanent disabilities that require extensive or long-term medical care may increase the car accident compensation amount.
- The extent of property damage: Depending on how grave the collision’s impact is, the vehicle may require towing and storage. In the worst scenarios, a car’s value may decrease due to a destructive accident.
- The degree of fault: Liability differs per state. For example, victims in states that apply the pure comparative fault rule must know that the amount they may receive reduces based on their percentage of fault. For instance, they may be 20% to blame for the incident for breaking a traffic law, which means they are only eligible for a partial recovery or 80% of the personal injury settlement amount.
These items take significant work to prove, requiring legal knowledge and resources. To ease the burden during such a difficult time, it is worth getting a car accident attorney.
What are some tips on how to increase settlement values?
The financial blow after a motor vehicle crash can be life-altering. To avoid further monetary losses and help increase the chances of maximum car accident settlements, follow these tips:
- Seek medical attention immediately: Document every injury, no matter how minor. A physician’s diagnosis and recommendations can help determine if the victim needs further treatment due to the severity of the injuries.
- File a car crash report: Crash report laws may vary per state. Some areas require victims to report an accident that resulted in injuries, deaths or property damage over $1,000 to local authorities within four days since it happened. Through its neutral perspective, the police report can help strengthen a car accident claim and establish the at-fault party’s liability.
- Gather evidence: Take photos, videos and surveillance footage from nearby establishments. Talk to witnesses for additional vantage points when the crash occurred.
Finally, and arguably, the most important tip is to avoid negotiating with insurance companies alone. Insurance adjusters are well-trained to exhaust every tactic in the book to minimize payouts. With their profit-driven motivation, they will do everything they can to undermine or entirely deny a car accident claim.
A common strategy they employ is asking leading questions to get admissions against a person’s interest. When this happens, victims talk more than they should, which leads to mistakes or inaccurate statements. Insurance adjusters can also offer a quick, lowball offer. Sadly, too many victims take the bait, hoping to end the insurance claim process early. They miss the opportunity to increase their settlement value through a counteroffer that reflects their best interests.
What are common questions about car crash settlements?
While things feel bleak right now, every victim should know they are not alone. Other drivers are also trying to find direction for their unfortunate situations. Thus, taking a closer look at what you must consider about car accidents and some of the frequently asked questions about car accident settlements can provide much-needed reassurance and clarity:
How long does it take to settle a car crash lawsuit?
The timeline is on a case-to-case basis. Some car accident claims resolve within months, while others take years depending on their complexity and the willingness of both sides to negotiate.
How much can someone sue for a car accident?
It depends on the details surrounding the case. Total damages may include economic and non-economic losses, which all vary in severity, meaning it can be hundreds of thousands of dollars. In the most serious cases, it may be worth millions.
What is the average settlement for a minor car accident?
There is no one-size-fits-all formula. A minor crash involving short-term injuries and property damage may be in the thousands. However, collisions with disabling injuries can reach five figures, while those that result in fatalities can go over a million dollars.
Is legal representation required for an auto accident settlement?
While not mandatory, having trusted legal counsel, especially those who offer free initial case assessments, increases chances for fair car accident compensation, especially when dealing with profit-oriented insurance companies.
Retaining a Seattle car accident settlement attorney can be the first step to preventing financial ruin and pursuing justice. While it will also cost to contact us, the stakes are higher and much riskier if victims try to navigate the legal arena independently.
