While some law firms may give you average settlement amounts, every settlement is unique to each case. Averages can be misleading. There are many cases where plaintiffs walk away with nothing. So, if you were to take an average of every personal injury settlement, that number would be skewed because it will most likely take into account every $0 settlement.
For that reason, you should be slightly skeptical of anyone giving you specific settlement amounts without knowing the details of your car accident. There are several factors at play when determining what your settlement is worth. A large factor that will help you understand the value of your claim is the type of bodily injury you’ve suffered from the car accident.
Settlements for Car Accidents with Bodily Injuries in California
What your settlement may be worth will be reflected in your medical treatment costs, rehabilitation expenses, and the impact your injury will have on your future earning capacity. For example, if you’ve sustained injuries resulting in permanent disability or disfigurement, your potential settlement will most likely include compensation for long-term care and loss of quality of life. This type of settlement will no doubt be worth more than a person who suffered only a fractured wrist in a car accident. While a wrist fracture is painful, it usually does not require surgery and probably won’t result in a permanent disability.
The Advantage of Legal Representation for a Good Car Accident Injury Settlement in California
It is a proven fact that personal injury victims were much more likely to receive a fair payout than those who dealt directly with the insurance company without representation. Also, victims with representation have been found to receive twice as much in compensation as those who proceeded unrepresented, even after attorney’s fees.
Legal representation offer several advantages if you’ve been injured in a car accident. By partnering with an attorney after an accident, they can:
- Identify All Liable Parties: car accidents typically involve multiple cars. An accident attorney will investigate all responsible parties and file a personal injury lawsuit against them, maximizing your chance at full, financial recovery.
- Manage your claim with the insurance companies: insurance companies can and will attempt to get injured victims to agree to a “lowball” settlement, or get you to admit fault. Having your attorney file a lawsuit against the insurance company will let them know you’re aware of your rights and are prepared to exercise them to achieve fair compensation.
- Follow Proper Legal Procedures: An experienced vehicle accident attorney understands the complexities of suing liable parties and the specific legal rules that must be followed. Having your lawsuit properly filed and the details of your situation perfectly outlined for the insurance adjuster will let the defense know you are aware of your rights and are prepared to exercise them.
- Prepare for Litigation: An attorney will expedite the litigation process if no acceptable offer is made. They will prepare you for trial, handle all legal proceedings, and represent you in court.
- Allow you to focus on Recovery: Hiring a well-practiced attorney will allow you to recover, while they deal with the legal side of your case for you. Not only will this give you a better chance at compensation, but it will alleviate your stress and give you peace of mind while dealing with a very traumatic time in your life.
How to Maximize Your Car Accident Settlement
If you’ve suffered injuries in a car accident, there are certain steps you can take to help you maximize the amount you can recover. Maximizing your settlement is an essential part of recovering from your accident. 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 and all the aspects of your life they impact. To ensure a fair 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. Personal injury claims typically have a statute of limitations of two years from the date of the accident. However, if your accident was with a government entity (emergency vehicle, USPS postal truck), then you will only have 6 months to file your 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. Car accidents are complicated and traumatic situations that no one deserves to manage alone. For expert legal counsel, contact Maison Law today 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.
