Car accidents have the potential to leave victims and their families with significant medical expenses and other damages from which it could take months or even years to recover. The fact that an injured person cannot work makes the financial burdens victims and families face even more difficult to bear in the aftermath of a car accident.

This is why many car accident victims wonder what type of monetary settlement they can expect in their car accident case. This is a crucial question. And the answer depends on the types of injuries, damages and losses a victim has sustained and the degree of negligence on the part of others who were involved in the accident.

No two car accident claims are alike. An experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyer can help you evaluate your losses and determine what your injury claim is worth.

Average Car Accident Settlement Amounts Received in California

According to settlement data from across the United States, most reported cases generally settle for between $14,321 and $28,215. The average is around $21,000.

What You Should Know About Securing a Car Accident Settlement

What to Do

After a car accident, you may be a little confused about what steps you should next take. One of the first things you should do if you have suffered injuries in the accident is to contact an experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyer who can get to work right away in terms of collecting and compiling crucial evidence and dealing 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.

What not to do

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 not enough to cover all your losses. You may not even 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 be able to seek compensation for those injury-related costs. In other words, you may have to pay your future medical bills out of pocket.

When you retain the services of the experienced car accident attorneys at the Vaziri Law Group, we will spring into action right away by collecting and compiling evidence including police reports, employment records, all medical bills, property damage estimates, etc. We will help you determine an approximate settlement amount for your case by examining the evidence as well as the facts of your case.

Factors That Might Affect Settlement Value

Here are some of the key factors that could affect the value of your car accident settlement:

Severity of the injuries:

Car accident injury 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 are likely to be higher as well. 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.

Circumstances of the accident:

Other parties' negligence could also make your settlement amount higher. For example, if another driver caused the crash by driving under the influence, that makes the circumstances egregious. In some cases, victims may also receive punitive damages, which is 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 – whether it is temporary or permanent – that loss should be factored into your settlement amount. The impact of your injury on your career, your capacity to earn and your overall ability to make a livelihood – are other factors that should be taken into account.

Non-economic damages:

In addition to the monetary damages you sustain, there are also other repercussions such as physical pain, emotional anguish and the loss of life's enjoyment, which are referred to as "non-economic damages."

Evidence:

The stronger your evidence is, the more likely your settlement amount will be higher. This is because the other side will know that they cannot prevail against you if the case goes to trial. This is why it is important to get an experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyer involved earlier 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.

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 – from ensuring that you get the healthcare you need to collecting evidence and doing everything in our power to secure maximum compensation for your losses.

How long does a car accident settlement take? We offer a free initial consultation and don't collect any fees until you receive compensation for your losses. Call us at (310) 777-7540 to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.