The average car accident case in California settles for between $14,000 and $28,000. We routinely help people get the most possible for thier case—see our results here. If you are the victim of a car accident in California, you or your family could be facing significant injuries that take months or even years to recover from. As such, you might be wondering what amount of compensation you should expect from your case. While compensation varies significantly from case to case, understanding what factors into the average settlement for car accidents in California is crucial to understanding what to expect.
When you work with Cohn & Swartzon, we will fight relentlessly for you until you receive the compensation you deserve. We have a proven track record of success and have obtained $100+ million in verdicts, judgments, and settlements for clients. Here’s what you should know about average car settlements.
Were you hurt in a car accident in Southern California? Call LegalHelp123 now at 888-480-3883 to maximize your compensation.
Related Article: Anaheim Car Accidents: High Crash Intersections and When to Call an Injury Attorney in Orange County
How Much Are Most Car Accident Settlements?
The average car accident settlement depends on numerous factors and the particular circumstances of your case.
Without taking into account liability issues, causation/mechanism of injury, the actual injuries, medical treatment, medical bills, future medical bills, lost income, future lost income as well as pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life, and, finally, collectability, most car accident cases settle for between $14,000 and $28,000, with the average amount being approximately $21,000.
But as you can see from the several factors above, the figures can be extremely different depending on the case. Again, as stated above, it’s important to understand that these ranges can still vary considerably because each case is unique.
Ultimately, the best way to maximize your settlement and understand what to anticipate is to contact a premier car crash lawyer as soon as an accident occurs because even if you feel fine at the scene with adrenaline pumping, you may hurt significantly the following day
Were you hurt in a car accident in Southern California? Call LegalHelp123 now at 888-480-3883 to maximize your compensation.
Why Do the Average Settlements for Car Accidents in California Vary?
It’s impossible to promise an exact settlement amount at the outset of a car accident case because every car accident is different. Each has unique circumstances, including the level of injury or trauma the victims have suffered.
Further, victims of car accidents in California typically pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, which can add more variables to the mix. As such, calculating average settlements for car accidents can be complicated.
Economic damages that factor into car accident settlements often include:
- Medical costs due to the the severity of injuries sustained (ambulance, hospital, rehabilitation, and other related medical bills)
- Future medical costs for treatment later on
- Lost present and future wages due to an inability to work
- Damage to car and property
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Insurance policy limits
Establishing the value of these damages is only the first part of the puzzle. Your car accident claim should also include non-economic damages, which can include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of consortium
However, a factor that cannot be emphasized enough when you determine the settlement you can expect is the attorney you work with and how quickly you contact them. Proving liability requires extensive legal experience and expertise.
This is why contacting an attorney ASAP is of the utmost importance. A premier car accident lawyer will be able to assess your case, gather evidence, compile witness testimony, negotiate with insurance companies, and, if necessary, represent you in court.
“When I was practicing for the defense, the insurance carriers’ first concern was always their bottom line, not the victim’s well-being – even if their own insured was injured. The key in these situations is to fully investigate all the facts, interview all witnesses, and make sure no stone is left unturned as we prepare for battle.”
– Jason D. Cohn, Founding Partner, Cohn & Swartzon
Alternatively, a factor that can hurt your settlement is your course of action following a car accident. Never talk to the other party or their insurance company. Let your attorney handle that. They will try to get you to admit fault or partial fault as well as minimizing your injuries, undermining your claim.
On that note, you should always seek medical attention. Even if you don’t feel like you have been severely injured, getting a doctor evaluation and report following your accident that explicitly links your injuries to the accident is crucial. Make sure to tell the medical provider ALL symptoms, no matter how minor because if it is not documented, insurance carriers will argue the symptoms did not exist. And time is of the essence.
If you wait too long after the accident to see a medical provider, the opposing party and their insurance may attempt to argue you possibly sustained your injuries after the accident.
You should also ensure you document your injuries, take ample pictures and videos of the scene and damage, identify witnesses, take notes and create a timeline of events, and file a police report after a car accident to give your car accident attorney a full arsenal in court.
Were you hurt in a car accident in Southern California? Call LegalHelp123 now at 888-480-3883 to maximize your compensation.
Related Article: Car Accident Attorneys in Tulare, California
What Are the Best- and Worst-Case Scenarios for Your Car Accident Settlement?
If you are the victim of a car accident, it’s important to understand that the insurance company isn’t going to look out for your needs. In fact, California has specific regulations for automobile insurance settlements because insurance companies will try to reduce and delay your payout through the settlement process if they can.
This reason, among others, is why so many individuals seek legal counsel and representation after a car accident. The right personal injury firm will protect your rights throughout the process and can help you assess the costs of your injuries and damages to determine the right course of action to claim compensation.
Retaining a personal injury attorney could be the difference between a best-case and worst-case scenario for your car accident case.
If you are represented by an attorney who understands the games and tactics insurance companies play, you’re more likely to receive the settlement amount you deserve. Without an attorney, insurance companies will confuse claimants with “insurance speak,” provide bad advice, and even use strong-arm tactics to make you go away or agree to a settlement for a fraction of what the claim is worth.
Were you hurt in a car accident in Southern California? Call LegalHelp123 now at 888-480-3883 to maximize your compensation.
Related Article: Personal Injury Claims After a Car Accident
How Long Does It Take to Resolve Your Car Accident Case?
The time it takes to secure a car accident settlement or judgment varies from case to case. For example, if you have sustained severe injuries, your case could take longer because you might not finish treatment for a long time. In turn, the personal injury law firm would not want to try to settle your case too early, which would mean you might not receive full compensation for your injuries. Other factors include whether the settlement offered by the insurance carrier is reasonable or if a lawsuit needs to be filed and litigated in court – which, obviously, can lengthen the process.
When you work with Cohn & Swartzon, our expert personal injury attorneys will handle this process as quickly as possible and provide you with a timeline while securing compensation often far higher than average settlements for car accidents by other lawyers and, especially, those trying to handle the matter on their own.
Were you hurt in a car accident in Southern California? Call LegalHelp123 now at 888-480-3883 to maximize your compensation.
Related Article: How Long Will My Car Accident Case Take?
Above Average Settlements for Car Accidents We Have Gotten for Clients
We believe you shouldn’t have to settle for average legal counsel or average results. And with Cohn & Swartzon, that is never a concern. Here are two cases we handled that reflect that.
The first involves an elderly couple who was hit by a drunk driver. This couple suffered severe injuries and were hospitalized for weeks. For their negligence, this driver ended up in a state prison to prevent others from falling victim. We successfully negotiated a settlement out of court for the policy limits as well as a substantial reduction in the couple’s medical bills that allowed them to recover the significant car accident compensation they deserved. In the end, this couple received $550,000.
In another case, a client came to us after they were hit by a distracted driver of a water truck. This accident caused her vehicle to overturn. As a result of this accident, our client lost partial use of her finger for a period of time. From the beginning, the opposing party disputed liability and tried to block her from enforcing her rights. But we refused to let that happen, and the Cohn & Swartzon team prevailed in a court judgment that awarded our client $400,000 in compensation for the damages and injuries she sustained.
Were you hurt in a car accident in Southern California? Call LegalHelp123 now at 888-480-3883 to maximize your compensation.
Related Article: A Legal Guide to Car Accident Compensation
Attorneys Who Can Secure Much Higher than Average Settlements for Car Accidents
The personal injury attorneys at Cohn & Swartzon have been holding insurance companies accountable and maximizing Californians’ car accident compensation for decades. Our team is well aware of the strategies and tactics they will use to short-change your settlement, so we will always be one step ahead of the opposition. If you’ve been in an accident in California, there are many steps you should take:
- Get to Safety
- Call for Help
- Take a Video/Photo of the scene (Your car or motorcycle, their car, and the intersection with your cars in it)
- Collect as much Information as possible
- Contact a Doctor
- Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Like Jason Cohn, Saar Swartzon or Oz Tannenbaum.
Since 2008, we remain dedicated to maximizing car accident settlements for victims who would otherwise be taken advantage of by ruthless insurance companies. We have a proven track record and will relentlessly pursue the compensation you deserve. Call us to learn about the numerous car accidents we have handled.
Contact the Cohn & Swartzon team of LegalHelp123.com now to schedule a free consultation and discuss your Anaheim car accident.
