Unfortunately, with the most drivers than any other state in the country, car accident injuries are a common occurrence across California. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, California was the number one state for fatal car accidents in 2022.
As a result, there is a wide range of victims in need of compensation due to careless driving in California. One of the first steps to recovering damages is understanding the impact specific injuries can have on your overall compensation after a car accident.
How are Injuries Calculated in a Car Accident Settlement in California?
There are several factors used to calculate a car accident settlement. Medical expenses, legal expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering will have a significant impact on the value of your settlement, however, those factors will all be decided by the severity of your injury. When assessing the severity of injuries sustained from a car accident, they are typically placed into one of the following three tiers:
- Tier 1: This tier is for the most severe injuries. Severe injuries tend to have the largest payout. These injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Permanent disfigurement
- Wrongful death
- Tier 2: This tier is for moderate to severe injuries. These injuries typically require surgical intervention and deal with broken bones, fractures, and lacerations.
- Tier 3: This tier is for mild to moderate injuries. This generally includes injuries that do not require surgery such as strains, sprains, and contusions.
Whichever tier your injury falls into will have a substantial impact on calculating the total financial value of your accident claim. Regardless of your injury, however, it is recommended to consult with an experienced car accident attorney to ensure you receive full compensation for the damages you are entitled to.
Common Car Accident Injuries in California
California drivers are at a higher risk for accidents due to the population density and many high-traffic areas across the Golden State. With a population of over nearly forty million, car accidents happen more frequently than anywhere else in the country. The most common injuries from these accidents were:
- Head injuries
- Neck injuries
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Joint injuries
- Internal injuries
- Burn injuries
How to Maximize Your Car Accident Settlement
After an accident, most insurance agencies will try to get you to settle for a much lower amount than your damages are worth. Insurance adjusters do not consider the long-term effects of major injuries, nor the impact they will have on nearly every aspect of your life. To maximize the settlement for your accident, it is recommended to do the following:
- Get examined by a medical professional. Suffering major injuries is not a time to act tough and attempt to “walk it off.” If you are injured, get examined by a doctor. Without a professional diagnosis, the insurance company will have just cause to assume you were never injured.
- Follow your doctor’s orders. By sticking to a treatment plan, you give yourself the best shot at a full medical recovery and show the insurance company how serious your injuries are.
- Keep and organize your receipts. Keep all documentation associated with your injury, especially documentation of your medical treatment.
- Get a quote for your vehicle damage. Reimbursement estimates for vehicle damages will be relatively low unless you provide proper documentation for what your damages are worth.
- Don’t wait to file your lawsuit. Time is limited when making an accident claim.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in California
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in California, our skilled team of accident attorneys at Maison Law will seek the maximum amount of compensation for your damages. Protect your right to compensation and partner with expert legal counsel today by contacting Maison Law for a free consultation and case evaluation. We don’t charge our clients upfront and you will not pay a cent until we’ve won your case.
