Car Accident Settlement Amounts

Every year, roughly 38,000 people die in motor vehicle accidents in the U.S., with many more sustaining injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the cost of traffic crashes in 2019 was approximately $340 billion after analyzing around 36,500 accident-related fatalities, 4.5 million injuries, and 23 million damaged vehicles. In Louisiana, the estimated economic cost due to motor vehicle crashes in the same year was $6.57 billion.

One common question that accident victims ask themselves is, “How much is a car accident worth?” After an accident, it’s normal to wonder how much you’ll receive from the other driver’s insurance company and whether it will cover all of your damages. In truth, no accident is similar, and that goes for accident settlements. There’s no such thing as a typical car accident settlement.

Whether your case seems identical to another, there’s no guarantee you’ll get the same settlement as they did. Lots of factors go into the determination of car accident settlements in Louisiana. In fact, there are minor crashes that result in catastrophic injuries and other instances where vehicle occupants get away unscathed in horrific accidents.

For this reason, it’s best to reach out to an experienced car accident lawyer who can assess your damages and help you pursue maximum compensation for them. At Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers, our legal team is ready to gather and analyze evidence and consult experts, such as medical professionals and economists, to get a better picture of your injuries and the actual value of your claim.

How Much Is a Car Accident Worth?

Since every personal injury case is different, there is no exact payment for any type of injury. Say you suffered second-degree burn injuries that affected your epidermis and dermis. You should not anticipate receiving matching compensation because you sustained second-degree burns similar to another injured party.

Personal injury settlements can be higher or lower depending on the specific facts surrounding the case, including:

• The severity and extent of the injuries, for instance, paralysis versus a bone fracture
• The types of medical treatment required
• The length of medical care
• Whether you’ll require future or lifelong medical care
• Whether the injury is permanent
• Whether the crash resulted in lost wages
• The ability to return to work after the accident
• The credibility of available evidence
• The degree of property damage
• The jurisdiction’s specific laws
• Insurance policy limits
• Certainty of the other driver’s liability
• Whether the accident and injury disrupted day-to-day activities
• The extent of pain and suffering
• Pre-existing injuries
• Wrongful death

Louisiana is an at-fault state. This means the state requires the at-fault party’s insurance company to compensate the injured victim for accident-related damages. It’s also important to note that Louisiana applies pure comparative negligence laws when determining fault and awarding compensation. This means that you may recover compensation for damages in a personal injury case even if you share 90% of the blame.

To receive maximum compensation in a Louisiana car accident claim, you must prove that the defendant shares most, if not all, of the blame. For the best results, work with an experienced auto accident attorney who can review your case, determine which of the above factors can influence your financial recovery, and build an airtight personal injury case on your behalf. At Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers, our legal team understands that each situation is personal and unique. We are ready to evaluate the facts of your case, assess your damages, prove liability, and help you secure the best possible compensation.

What Is the Average Settlement for Car Accidents?

As you have seen by now, it’s not easy to give an average settlement figure for car accidents. Every accident is different. Besides that, it’s also impossible to come up with an accurate average settlement amount since many personal injury cases are resolved privately between injured victims, at-fault parties, insurance companies, and lawyers.

Nonetheless, data from the Insurance Information Institute (III) shows that the average compensation for bodily injuries in car wrecks was $22,734 in 2021 and $5,314 for property damage claims. Another survey conducted between 2015 and 2020 revealed that accident victims received an average settlement of $23,900, with most receiving less than $10,000. This settlement estimate may vary significantly depending on the facts of your case and whether or not you seek legal guidance and representation from an experienced attorney. Having a lawyer by your side significantly increases your chances of securing a higher settlement.

Interestingly, the III ranks Louisiana as the most expensive state for auto insurance, with the highest average expenditure of $1,494.70, followed by New York and Michigan, respectively. If you are injured in a car accident, the other driver’s insurance limits apply when you file a claim. The Louisiana Department of Insurance requires drivers to maintain a minimum liability of 15/30/25, with $15,000 being for bodily injury and $30,000 for all individuals injured in an accident.

At Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers, our personal injury lawyers are experienced in assessing damages and pushing for fair compensation that covers all your damages, even future medical costs. Our legal team recently won Louisiana’s largest personal injury verdict after a five-year fight in a truck accident case that resulted in a wrongful death. Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers proved the liable company negligently hired a driver with a history of drug abuse, entrusting him with an 18-wheeler company truck that caused the tragic accident.

How Much Will My Car Accident Settlement Be? Call Us To Maximize Your Settlement

In an ideal world, every motor vehicle accident victim would receive compensation for the exact amount of accident-related damages they’ve suffered. They would also receive their checks as soon as possible. Unfortunately, for-profit insurance companies may drag out the claims process, hoping to unearth any evidence to devalue or deny your claim or basically tire you into accepting a lowball settlement.

The legal team at Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers understands how car accident claims work. With decades of experience, proven results, and happy clients, rest assured that your personal injury case is in safe hands. We are ready to push for maximum compensation that covers your medical bills, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering.

Call (318) 221-1508 now for a free case consultation. Let us help you secure the maximum damages for your Louisiana car accident claim.

Sources

1. Costs of Crash Deaths. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed on August 11, 2023.
2. NHTSA: Traffic Crashes Cost America $340 Billion in 2019. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Accessed on August 11, 2023.
3. The Economic and Societal Impact of Motor Vehicle Crashes, 2019 (Revised). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Accessed on August 11, 2023.
4. Burns – Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic. Accessed on August 11, 2023.
5. Comparative Negligence: Definition, Types, and Examples. Investopedia. Accessed on August 11, 2023.
6. Facts + Statistics: Auto Insurance. Insurance Information Institute. Accessed on August 11, 2023.
7. Typical Car Accident Settlement Amounts (2023). Forbes Advisor. Accessed on August 11, 2023.
8. Consumer’s Guide to Auto Insurance. Louisiana Department of Insurance. Accessed on August 11, 2023.