The average settlement can vary greatly, but the average settlement may range from $5,000 to $12,000.
There are many factors involved with a
crash settlement. Some accidents are so minor that filing a claim or taking legal action is not even necessary. However, other crashes can result in injuries and property damage that add up quickly.
What Are the Main Factors Involved With an Accident Settlement?
When determining a settlement amount, there are key factors considered. These include injury treatment, property damage, lost wages, and emotional suffering.
Types and Severity of Injuries
Medical bills are a major part of most settlement amounts, and they can vary significantly depending on the injuries sustained from the accident. Many people think that a minor crash does not result in injuries that require treatment, but even accidents that occur at lower speeds can lead to injuries, and some are more serious than others.
Soft tissue injuries are more common in minor accidents, and these may include:
- Bruises
- Sprains
- Strains
- Bursitis
- Tendonitis
Some soft tissue injuries, such as contusions, often go away on their own and may not require medical treatment. Others, however, can lead to long-term issues if left untreated. One example is whiplash.
Whiplash is a common accident injury, especially in rear-ended crashes. The force of the collision causes the head to go back and forth rapidly, resulting in damage to the ligaments and other tissues of the neck. Common symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Neck and shoulder stiffness and pain
- Dizziness
- Numbness and tingling of the arms and hands
- Limited range of motion
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty concentrating
The accident may also cause injury to the spine, such as disc herniation, which may result in pain or numbness. Depending on the speed and direction from which the impact came, fractures may also occur in a minor accident.
For many minor accident injuries, treatment may not take longer than a few weeks, and the sooner the individual seeks treatment, the faster the results. However, treatment may include a series of visits to various healthcare providers, such as doctors, chiropractors, massage therapists, and physical therapists.
The number of treatments needed, and the length of treatment, play a large role in the settlement amount. If surgery and lengthy hospital stays are necessary, this increases the total settlement amount.
Amount of Vehicular Damage
