Car accidents can leave victims and their families with significant medical expenses and other damages from which it could take months or even years to recover.
An inability to work makes the financial burdens victims face even more difficult to bear after a car accident. Knowing how much you can expect from a car accident settlement in California can help you plan ahead.
The value of a car accident claim varies based on the circumstances. An experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyer can assess your losses and help determine what your claim may be worth.
Average Car Accident Settlement Amounts Received in California
Car crashes can leave victims with significant medical expenses, lost income, and other damages. When severely injured, you may be unable to work for an extended period, making it more challenging to pay your bills. The average car accident settlement could vary depending on the facts and circumstances of each case.
Several factors, including the nature and severity of your injuries, the extent of property damage, long-term damage or disabilities, physical and emotional pain, and the degree of negligence on the defendant’s part, determine the value or worth of your car accident claim.
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Our Recent Car Accident Settlement Amounts
At Vaziri Law Group, the average settlement received by our clients is significantly higher. Take a look at some of our settlements below:
- $5,850,000+ settlement for client injured in rear-end accident
- $5,010,000 for passengers injured in a rideshare accident
- $4,200,000 for a client injured when pushed into another vehicle
While these highlight some of our more significant settlements, the table below shows some numbers demonstrating the average car accident settlement amounts we have recovered for our clients across different accident types based on our recently published car accident settlements.
| Accident Type | Average Settlement Amount Recovered |
| All Car Accidents | $1,633,134 |
| Rear-End Accidents | $1,646,810 |
| Negligent Driver Accidents | $958,333 |
| Failure to Yield/Stop Accidents | $1,478,333 |
| Head-On Collisions | $737,500 |
| Hit-and-Run Accidents | $950,000 |
| Multiple Car Collisions | $2,567,976 |
| Passenger Injury Cases | $2,375,000 |
| Back and Neck Injury Cases | $1,771,625 |
| Rollover Accidents | $2,266,833 |
| Sudden Turn Accidents | $2,183,333 |
| T-Bone Accidents | $880,000 |
Remember that you should never rush into a settlement before you have discussed your case with a knowledgeable and experienced Los Angeles car accident attorney.
Settling your case too soon could mean that you may not be able to file future claims or seek compensation for future injury-related treatments you may require, such as surgery. So, do not sign any agreements without discussing them with your attorney.
Average Car Accident Settlement Payouts by Injuries
The type and severity of the injuries you incur will greatly impact the amount of compensation you are able to recover from the liable party.
Back and Neck Injuries
This could range from pain and lack of motion to life-changing injuries. Even minor strains could lead to chronic pain that could make it difficult for you to work or even perform everyday activities. Major spinal cord injuries could result in significant settlements.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Refer to injuries that damage muscles, ligaments, and tendons throughout the body. These types of injuries often involve extensive rehabilitation, such as physical therapy. These costs should also be added to the value of your car accident settlement.
Joint Injuries
Collisions also result in injuries to joints such as the shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles. These types of injuries also often require rehabilitation and maybe even long-term therapy.
Herniated disc
These types of injuries occur when the tissues between the vertebrae become damaged. Herniated disc injuries result in chronic pain and could limit mobility. Recovery can be slow, so you may be unable to work for an extended period.
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What to Do If There Is An Accident
After a car accident, you may be confused about your next steps. One of the first things you should do if you have suffered injuries in the accident is to contact an experienced car accident lawyer in Los Angeles who can get to work immediately to collect and compile crucial evidence and deal with insurance companies.
Another step you will have to take right after the car accident is to call your auto insurance company to report the accident.
If you have been involved in a car accident, here are the steps to take to make sure your rights are protected:
- Stop and remain at the accident scene, even if you believe you were not at fault.
- Pull over to a safe spot. Make sure you and your passengers are in a secure location.
- Call 911 if anyone has been injured. Call the police even if there are no serious injuries to generate an official report with investigation details. Obtain a copy of this report for your records.
- Get as much evidence as possible from the scene, including photos, videos, and eyewitness statements. If you cannot obtain this information, ask a family member or friend if they can.
- Exchange information with the other parties, including insurance details, driver’s license, names, and contact information.
- Notify the insurance company as soon as possible.
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if you don’t believe you’ve been seriously injured. Doing so can help show evidence of the injuries you sustained and the treatment you sought.
- Contact an experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyer who can help protect your rights and ensure that valuable evidence is preserved.
What Not To Do After a Car Accident
One mistake car accident victims usually make is to accept the first settlement the insurance company offers. This is often a lowball offer that is likely far below the average car accident settlement and insufficient to cover all your losses.
The insurance policy of the liable party likely provides for greater support. You may not know the full extent of your losses for several months.
For example, you may need surgery or ongoing treatment for your injuries. If you settle too soon, you may not seek compensation for those injury-related costs. In other words, you may have to pay your future medical bills out of pocket. Being aware of the top mistakes to avoid after a car accident can significantly improve your chances of a favorable outcome.
When you retain the services of an experienced car accident attorney, you can trust that they will take action right away by collecting and compiling evidence, including police reports, property damage estimates, employment records, and all medical bills. Your lawyer can help you determine an approximate settlement amount by examining the evidence and facts.
Car Accident Settlement Agreement Form and Insurance Claim Settlement
In California, parties to a car accident settlement are required to sign a Section 1542 waiver. Section 1542 of the California Civil Code protects individuals from unknowingly giving up future claims they are not yet aware of. This waiver essentially states that a general release of future claims does not cover claims that the person is unaware of when signing the release.
For example, if you are collecting compensation for a car accident settlement, the insurance company may offer a lump sum settlement that releases them from future liabilities for your injuries. If you do that, you may be unable to make additional claims.
Remember that a 1542 waiver is a blanket waiver that, if signed, wipes out any future claims you could bring against a defendant, regardless of what you knew at the time of signing.
It is a waiver of known and unknown injuries and damages. Make sure you have your lawyer present throughout the process to make sure your rights are protected.
Car Accidents by Settlement Types
The type of car accident in which you were involved can impact the settlement amount. Some types of car accidents can potentially cause major injuries and significant property damage.
These types of incidents will typically result in more severe injuries and in larger average settlements for car accidents.
Minor Car Accidents
Even car accidents described or categorized as “minor,” such as a fender-bender, could result in minor injuries and vehicle damage.
In such cases, settlements could average a few thousand dollars. These settlements will help victims pay for the necessary medical treatment and funds to repair the car.
Rear-End and T-Bone Car Accidents
These types of car accidents often result in much more serious injuries and may result in your car being totaled. Also known as side-impact or broadside crashes, T-bone accidents typically occur at street intersections.
Distracted drivers often cause rear-end accidents. Those injured in such serious accidents stand to receive higher automobile accident settlements than those hurt in relatively minor crashes. The settlement amount will hinge on the nature and severity of your injuries.
Head-on Collisions
Like rear-end and T-bone collisions, head-on collisions could also result in catastrophic or even fatal injuries. Because these crashes happen at high speeds, the damage can be much more severe, and settlement amounts could be even higher.
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Factors That Might Affect Settlement Value
Many factors could affect the value of your car accident settlement. An experienced attorney can help you evaluate the presence of these factors in your case and how your car accident injury settlement amount could be affected.
Severity of the Injuries
California car accident claims that involve major or catastrophic injuries typically result in larger settlements because they require more medical treatment and rehabilitation, and also tend to have a more significant impact on the victim’s quality of life. Examples of such injuries include brain injuries, spinal cord trauma, internal injuries, and limb amputations.
Medical Bills
If your injuries are more severe, your medical bills will also likely increase. Whether or not you need ongoing medical care or treatment, as well as other factors such as disabilities, scarring, and your age, could determine the value of your car accident settlement. An experienced lawyer can help get your medical bills paid after a car accident in California.
Circumstances of the Accident
Other parties’ negligence could also increase your settlement amount. For example, the circumstances would be egregious if another driver caused the crash by driving under the influence. In some cases, victims may also receive punitive damages separate from compensatory damages.
Punitive damages are typically awarded in cases where the defendant has engaged in negligence or wrongdoing that could be considered egregious or outrageous.
Lost Wages
If your injury prevents you from working, either temporarily or on a permanent basis, that loss should be factored into your settlement amount.
Other factors that should be considered are the impact of your injury on your career, your capacity to earn, and your overall ability to make a living.
Non-Economic Damages
In addition to the monetary damages you sustain, there are other repercussions, such as physical pain and suffering, emotional anguish, and the loss of life’s enjoyment, which are “non-economic damages.”
Pain and suffering often account for the largest portion of compensation in a car accident case, reflecting the full extent of your physical and emotional hardship.
Evidence
Stronger evidence increases the likelihood of a higher settlement. This is because the other side will know that it cannot prevail against you if the case goes to trial.
This is why getting an experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyer involved earlier is important, so they can collect critical evidence ranging from police reports and medical records to surveillance video or eyewitness statements that will help strengthen your claim.
Comparative Negligence
In California, compensation is influenced by comparative negligence. This means your settlement could be reduced if you share any blame for the accident.
For example, if you were found 40% responsible for the accident, your compensation would decrease by that percentage. Working with a personal injury lawyer ensures a fair evaluation of liability and maximizes your estimated settlement.
Tips to Help You Maximize Your Car Accident Settlement
There are several steps you can take to help increase the compensation you are able to recover after a car accident. Knowing what to do after a car accident can make a significant difference in the amount you can recover.
Get Prompt Medical Attention
You must receive prompt medical attention to get maximum compensation for your losses. Documenting your injuries helps show that the accident directly caused them.
Maintain Copies of Your Employment Records
Your settlement will typically include lost income. So, you must keep records, including pay stubs, statements from your employer that describe your pay rate, and time sheets.
Don’t Accept a Lowball Offer
Insurance companies often try to avoid paying maximum compensation by extending a lowball offer to victims. Do not accept the first offer the insurance company makes.
Take advice from your lawyer to protect your best interests and recover the greatest compensation available through the liable party’s insurance coverage.
Don’t Forget Future Damages
Maximizing your car accident injury settlement also means considering how your injury might affect your future. For example, you may need surgery or ongoing treatment. You may have lost your ability to earn money. These elements need to be factored into your car accident settlement.
Stay Away From Social Media
Any information you put online can work against you getting the best settlement in your case. Do not discuss the details of your accident or injuries online. Keep a low profile until you receive your settlement.
Car Accident Settlement Calculator
A car accident settlement calculator can help victims and their families understand the types of economic damages they may recover. Economic damages are those for which you can be compensated, meaning they are quantifiable and can be substantiated with evidence such as documentation.
However, car accident settlement calculators have limitations. To get a more accurate estimate of your potential recovery, speak directly with an experienced attorney who can assess the facts of your case.
Your car accident lawsuit settlement will typically be based on the following information:
- The cost of damage to your car and other property
- Your medical bills include emergency room, hospitalization, surgery, medication, and medical equipment expenses
- Cost of future medical bills, including the cost of ongoing treatments
- The amount of wages you have lost due to the inability to work
- Loss of earning capacity if you have been disabled
A car accident settlement calculator will help you arrive at a rough estimate of how much you can seek in terms of compensatory damages for your car accident. However, this calculation can only give you an approximate value of your claim.
A settlement calculator is a good starting point. For a more accurate evaluation, an experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyer can help you consider all factors.
Why Calculators Provide Only a General Estimate
Calculators can’t capture all the details of a personal injury claim. They use basic factors, like medical bills and lost wages, to give a quick estimate. Remember that each case is unique, and not all damages are easily measured.
A personal injury settlement calculator can only estimate based on general information. It doesn’t account for specific factors, like the long-term effects of an injury or unique circumstances.
Non-economic damages, like pain and suffering, are complex and vary widely from case to case. This is why a personal injury calculator can give a rough idea of general damages but not an exact settlement amount.
Inputting Key Details About the Accident and Injuries
To use a car accident settlement calculator, you start by entering key details. Include the total medical bills for your treatment and any future medical expenses. You should also enter your lost wages, which cover income missed due to the injury.
The calculator may ask for details on pain and suffering. Lastly, enter the cost of property damage, such as repairs to your vehicle. Providing accurate numbers helps the calculator give a more realistic estimate.
Understanding How Calculators Estimate Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages include emotional and physical discomfort, distress, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. These damages are harder to measure because they don’t have set costs.
Settlement calculators often estimate non-economic damages by multiplying medical expenses by a factor, like two or three. This method provides a general idea of the value of pain and suffering. However, non-economic damages vary by case, so the calculator may not capture the full impact of your injuries.
Lack of Legal Nuance
Settlement calculators don’t understand the law. They can’t account for legal rules like comparative negligence or specific factors that may increase or lower your compensation.
For example, if you’re partly at fault for the accident, your settlement could be reduced. A calculator won’t explain this. Similarly, legal terms like future lost income are often simplified in calculators.
Only a personal injury attorney can include these legal details in your case. They will ensure you get the compensation you deserve, especially when dealing with complex claims. Calculators are useful for basic estimates, but they lack the depth needed for accurate results.
Car Accident Settlement Process
Most car accident cases are resolved through out-of-court settlements, which means a very small percentage of these cases go to trial. The process to obtain a settlement in your car accident case involves several steps.
Filing a Lawsuit
In California, the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit for personal injury is two years. This means you have two years (in most cases) to file a lawsuit in civil court.
If your case involved a government entity, you have six months to file your notice of claim. Once the lawsuit is filed and served, defendants have 30 days to file their responses.
Discovery
During the discovery process, both parties interview witnesses during depositions and exchange information, including evidence to be presented during the trial.
Mediation
This is the step before the case goes to trial, when lawyers try to settle it. Mediation is a non-binding settlement conference where lawyers attempt to get a fair resolution for their clients. If mediation does not yield a fair settlement, the case will move toward trial.
The majority of cases end up settling before going to court. You need an experienced lawyer who is a skilled negotiator on your side who can help you get the best possible settlement.
Client Car Accident Settlement FAQs
After a car accident, you likely have many questions about the money you will be able to recover.
How Long Does It Take to Secure a Car Accident Settlement?
How long does a car accident settlement take? This time could vary. If you have been severely injured, your case could take longer. Typically, it could take about a year to receive a settlement.
How Much Can I Expect From a Car Accident Settlement?
If you have only incurred property damage, your settlement may be lower than if you suffered injuries. The more serious your injuries, the larger your settlement will likely be. An experienced car accident lawyer can help assess the accurate value of your claim.
Do I Need to Get Physical Therapy to Receive a Settlement?
It is unnecessary to go to physical therapy to receive a settlement. However, if you need physical therapy, you must include that value in your settlement because these are often out-of-pocket costs.
Will My Case Go to Court?
A vast majority of car accidents are settled out of court. However, some cases end up going to trial. When you retain the services of a personal injury lawyer, you need to choose an excellent negotiator and a skilled trial attorney who can take your case to court if necessary.
How Can I Get More Money From a Car Accident Settlement?
Contact a car accident lawyer immediately to maximize your settlement. Be sure to keep all documentation relating to your car accident injuries and property damage.
Is My Car Accident Settlement Taxable?
While car accident settlements are not taxed as income, wage-based settlements could be taxed. It is best to consult with a tax advisor and licensed CPA regarding any tax questions.
Importance of a Car Accident Lawyer
Car accident statistics show that victims and families who retain the services of a knowledgeable car accident lawyer tend to receive substantially more compensation compared to those who don’t.
At the Vaziri Law Group, our team will take every possible step to help support you through these challenging times, providing personalized focus to every client.
Our diverse legal team will use every tool at our disposal, including the latest technologies, to help ensure a favorable outcome. We offer a free consultation and don’t collect any fees until you receive compensation for your losses.
Call us or complete our online contact form for more information about pursuing your legal rights.
