You may be wondering if there is an average settlement amount for a personal injury claim after an accident. This can be due to reasons such as not wishing to be shortchanged by insurance companies or knowing how much is reasonable to push for. However, the truth is that there is no clear answer, and attorneys can only advise after taking into account the individual facts of your case. If you require legal advice with your personal injury claim, the attorneys at Corradino and Papa, LLC, are up to the job.
The reason settlement amounts differ across individual cases is because no two accidents are the same. On top of that, no two victims are the same either – for instance, the effects of the same injury in someone with a pre-existing condition and someone who was otherwise healthy can differ. That is why attorneys always take into account the below factors in determining a reasonable settlement amount to fight for:
- Severity of injuries: This is the most important factor when it comes to determining a settlement amount. Injuries that require X-rays, MRIs and CT scans such as broken bones tend to result in a higher payout. One reason for this is because such procedures make it impossible for victims to fake or exaggerate injuries.
- Recovery time: Even if the injury you suffer is not severe, it may result in long-term issues that mean future rehabilitative treatment and the purchasing of expensive medical equipment. If that is the case, you are more likely to get a higher settlement amount not just because of the accumulated costs, but because chronic conditions can diminish a person’s quality of life.
- Pain and suffering: Undoubtedly, victims can go through mental and emotional trauma as well as have their lives disrupted by the accident. These costs may not always be quantifiable, which is where the advice of an attorney experienced in personal injury claims comes in.
One of the first things you do after an accident would be to file a claim with the liable party’s insurance company. They will respond with a settlement offer, which is often too low to cover incurred medical expenses, let alone other losses. Never accept a lowball settlement amount without consulting an attorney first. You may panic and think that if you do not accept it, you will get nothing at all. That is not true – it is never too late to consult an attorney even if you did not do so right after the accident.
Have you been offered a low settlement you do not wish to accept after sustaining injuries in an accident? If so, let the experienced attorneys at Corradino and Papa, LLC, represent you and fight for the maximum amount you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Disclaimer: Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.