Factors That Determine How Much to Expect From a Car Accident Settlement

A car accident can leave you with expensive medical costs and vehicle repairs. It is normal to be curious about how much your car accident settlement is worth, so that you and your family can start planning the future. This question is difficult to answer, however, as each case is unique. The best way to receive an accurate settlement evaluation is by consulting with a car accident lawyer in Houston.

Your Statements After the Car Accident

The things you say and do after your crash can either strengthen or weaken your insurance claim. It is critical not to admit fault for your crash, for example, as this could automatically bar you from recovery. It is also important not to say that you are fine until you have seen a doctor. Even if you feel uninjured, you could have a hidden injury or delayed symptoms.

Injury Severity

One of the main factors that impact settlement value in Texas is injury severity. A car accident settlement pays for the losses associated with the crash, such as medical costs and lost wages. As these costs increase with the severity of the injury, so does the value of the settlement. You can use evidence such as your medical records, letters from your doctor, an injury journal and medical expert testimony to help prove the extent of your injuries and how they’ve impacted you.

Permanent Injuries

In general, if you suffered a severe or catastrophic injury, your car accident settlement will be worth more than if you suffered a minor injury. Catastrophic injuries affect the victim for life, such as permanent brain damage from a traumatic brain injury or paralysis from a spinal cord injury. They can also describe permanent scarring, disfigurement or loss of a bodily function.

Car accident claims involving catastrophic injuries may result in payment not only for past and present medical expenses, but for future medical care as well, including follow-up treatments, surgeries, rehabilitation, therapy and medications.

Property Damage

The value of the property damage sustained in the car crash can also affect your settlement. Liability insurance typically pays for the full value of vehicle repairs or the pre-crash value of a totaled car. Your settlement may also include an amount to pay for a rental vehicle that is in the same class as the car you wrecked.

Income and Lost Earnings

If your car accident took you out of work, your income and the number of days you had to miss will impact your settlement. Again, these losses generally increase with the severity of the injury, as the victim will need to take more days off of work or may be unable to return to work indefinitely.

Comparative Negligence

Your own degree of fault, if any, can impact your car accident settlement. If an investigation finds that you contributed to the crash, this could reduce your settlement award. Texas is a modified comparative negligence state, meaning that you can still recover partial compensation as long as you are less than 50 percent at fault for the crash.

Number of Defendants

The number of defendants can impact your case, as this can increase the amount of insurance available to pay for your losses. If your lawyer can identify multiple defendants, such as the other driver and a vehicle manufacturer, this can increase your settlement by providing additional sources of financial recovery.

The Strength of Your Case

Finally, hiring an attorney can also impact the value of your car accident settlement, as an attorney will know how to strengthen your case. An attorney can help you gather evidence against the defendant(s), as well as prove your losses. Your lawyer can use proven legal strategies to negotiate a fair and full settlement value from an insurance provider on your behalf. If the insurance company is not offering enough, your lawyer can go to trial for maximum financial compensation instead.