Typical Car Accident Settlement Amounts With Injury in Louisiana
Car accidents are life-altering events that can leave you with injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. At Rice & Kendig, our Shreveport car accident lawyers understand how devastating this can be. If you’ve been injured in a car accident due to a negligent driver, you may be entitled to compensation. But what are typical car accident settlement amounts with injury? Below, we’ll break down everything you need to know about car accident settlements, the settlement process, and how to secure the compensation you deserve after a wreck.
If you’ve suffered injuries, property damage, or other losses due to a negligent driver, call 318-222-2772 to schedule a free consultation with the experienced Shreveport car accident lawyers at Rice & Kendig.
What is a Car Accident Settlement?
A car accident settlement is a financial agreement reached between an injured person and the at-fault driver’s insurance company. The goal of the settlement is to provide fair compensation for the injured person’s damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. Car accident settlements are usually reached through negotiation rather than going to court, but in some cases, a car accident lawsuit may be necessary to obtain a fair settlement.
Settlements are an essential part of the car accident claims process because they allow injured victims to recover compensation without enduring the lengthy and stressful process of a trial. However, navigating the legal process and negotiating with insurance companies can be complicated, which is why hiring an experienced car accident attorney is crucial.
Common Car Accident Damages
When you’re involved in an auto accident, the damages you can recover through a settlement or a personal injury lawsuit can be extensive. If you’re wondering: what damages can I seek after a Louisiana car crash? Here are some of the common damages that car accident victims may seek compensation for:
- Medical Bills: Medical expenses can quickly add up after an auto accident, especially if you require ongoing medical treatment. This can include emergency room visits, surgeries, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and future medical expenses. Compensation for medical bills is a critical component of car accident settlements.
- Lost Wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages. This includes not only the wages you’ve already lost but also any future income you might miss out on due to long-term or permanent injuries.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: If you can return to some work, but not the same work, you may be entitled to additional compensation if you can no longer return to employment at the same salary.
- Pain and Suffering: Pain and suffering damages compensate you for the physical and emotional distress caused by the accident. This is a non-economic damage that considers the impact the accident has had on your quality of life.
- Property Damage: Your car and other personal property that was damaged in the accident should be covered by the at-fault driver’s insurance. Car accident settlements typically include compensation for vehicle repairs or replacement, as well as any other damaged property.
- Loss of Consortium: This damage is awarded when the accident negatively impacts your relationship with your spouse or family. It’s meant to compensate for the loss of companionship, affection, and emotional support.
- Non-Economic Damages: In addition to pain and suffering, non-economic damages can include loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, and other intangible losses that impact your daily living.
Car accident settlements aim to cover both your economic and non-economic damages, providing you with financial compensation to help you recover from your injuries and losses.
The Car Accident Settlement Process
One of the first questions that clients ask us is: how long does a car accident settlement take? The car accident settlement process can be complex and the timeline often varies depending on the specifics of your case.
For example, the average car accident settlement process for a minor accident can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months, while the average car accident settlement process for more complex and catastrophic cases can take anywhere from 9 to 12 months, or longer if a suit must be filed. Your Shreveport motor vehicle accident lawyer can give you an estimate of the expected timeline based on the specifics of your case.
Investigating and Gathering Evidence After the Accident
The settlement process begins at the start of your case. The first and most important step in the car accident settlement process is gathering as much evidence as possible. This includes taking photos of the accident scene, getting witness statements, securing the police report, and obtaining your medical records. The more evidence you have against the at-fault driver, the stronger your car accident claim will be. Strong evidence – such as police reports, accident scene photos, and medical records – is crucial in proving liability, showing the extent of your damages, and supporting your demand for compensation.
Hiring an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
Hiring a Shreveport auto accident lawyer is essential for navigating the settlement process. At Rice & Kendig, our legal team is skilled in handling car accident claims and knows how to deal with insurance companies. Hiring a lawyer increases your chances of receiving a fair settlement, as they will handle negotiations, gather evidence, and fight for your rights throughout the entire legal process. Having an experienced personal injury lawyer by your side also ensures that you don’t settle for less than you deserve.
Sending a Demand Letter
Once you’ve received medical attention and all necessary documentation has been gathered, your car accident attorney at Rice & Kendig will draft and send a demand letter to the at-fault driver’s insurance company. This letter outlines the details of the accident, the injuries sustained, the treatment received, and the damages you’re seeking. The demand letter serves as the starting point for settlement negotiations.
Negotiating With the At-Fault Party’s Insurance Company
After the insurance company receives the demand letter, Rice & Kendig will begin negotiations. Insurance adjusters will typically offer a lower settlement amount than what was requested in the demand letter. At this stage, your Shreveport personal injury lawyer at Rice & Kendig will negotiate with the insurance adjusters to secure a fair settlement that adequately compensates you for your damages. Negotiations can go back and forth several times, and having legal representation is crucial to ensure your rights are protected.
Filing a Lawsuit (If Necessary)
In some cases, a lawsuit may be necessary to obtain the compensation you deserve. If settlement negotiations with insurance providers do not result in a fair settlement, your Shreveport auto accident attorney may recommend filing a car accident lawsuit. Going to trial for car accident lawsuits can be time-consuming and costly, but it can also lead to a higher settlement value, particularly in cases involving severe injuries or significant medical expenses.
Scheduling a Mediation
Once negotiations stall and a lawsuit has been filed, mediation is often the next step. Mediation involves a neutral third party, known as a mediator, who helps facilitate discussions between you and the insurance company. The goal of mediation is to reach an agreement without going to court. While mediation is often successful, if it fails, the next step is going to trial and fighting for a fair settlement amount.
Receiving Your Car Accident Settlement
Once a settlement is reached through negotiation, mediation, or a court decision, you will receive your car accident settlement. The settlement amount will cover your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and any other damages related to the accident. It’s important to note that the settlement process can take time, so patience is essential. Your motor vehicle accident lawyer will ensure that you receive the compensation you’re entitled to as quickly as possible.
What is the Average Car Accident Settlement?
Determining the average settlement for a car accident case can be challenging because every case is unique. The average settlement varies depending on the severity of injuries, the amount of medical expenses, and other factors. However, in Louisiana, the average settlement for car accident claims involving injuries can range from a few thousand dollars to well over $100,000. The final settlement amount will depend on the specifics of your case, including the extent of your injuries and the evidence supporting your claim.
It’s important to remember that there is no “one-size-fits-all” answer when it comes to car accident settlements. The settlement amount you receive will be based on the damages you’ve suffered and the strength of your case. An experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer can help you understand the potential value of your claim and ensure that you receive a fair settlement.
Typical Car Accident Settlement Amounts With Injury
When it comes to typical car accident settlement amounts with injury, the amount you receive will depend on the nature and severity of your injuries. Below are some car accident settlement examples based on the level of injury:
- Minor Injuries: For minor injuries such as a whiplash neck injury, sprains, or cuts and bruises, settlement amounts typically range from $3,000 to $15,000. While these injuries may not be life-threatening, they can still result in medical bills and lost wages that need to be compensated.
- Moderate Injuries: Injuries that require more extensive medical treatment, such as broken bones, back injuries, neck injuries, or concussions. The average settlement for car accident back and neck injury and other moderate injuries may lead to settlements ranging from $20,000 to $100,000. These injuries often require ongoing medical care and can result in significant lost wages and pain and suffering.
- Severe Injuries: For serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or injuries resulting in permanent disability, settlements can exceed six figures and, in some cases, reach seven and eight figures. These severe injuries often result in long-term or permanent medical care and can dramatically impact your quality of life. It’s important to work with our Shreveport brain injury lawyers and Shreveport spine injury lawyers to ensure that you make a full physical, emotional, and financial recovery.
- Wrongful Death: Tragically, many car accidents result in the wrongful death of a passenger or driver. In a car accident death case, the goal of compensation shifts from treating injuries and improving quality of life to covering funeral and burial arrangements and compensating loved ones for their loss. The average fatal auto accident settlement can often be seven and eight figures depending on the specifics of the case. Wrongful death cases like this require strong legal representation from Shreveport wrongful death lawyers at Rice & Kendig.
Typical Car Accident Settlement Amounts – No Injury
In cases where no physical injuries are sustained, auto accident settlements are generally lower. The typical car accident settlement amounts in non-injury cases primarily cover property damage, rental car costs, and other out-of-pocket expenses. While these settlements may not be as substantial as those involving injuries, they are still important for ensuring that you’re compensated for any financial losses related to the accident.
Factors That Impact Car Accident Settlements in No-Injury Cases
Even in cases without physical injuries, several factors can impact a final auto accident settlement amount. These factors include:
Severity of Property Damage
The extent of vehicle damage may play a significant role in determining your settlement amount. Minor car accidents with minimal damage tend to cause less significant injuries and may result in settlements ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. However, if your vehicle sustains severe damage or is totaled, you may be entitled to a higher settlement to cover the cost of repairs or replacement.
Liability
Liability is a critical factor in all car accident cases, including those without injuries. If the other driver is clearly at fault, you’re more likely to receive a higher settlement. However, if liability is disputed or shared between both parties, it can reduce the final settlement amount. Louisiana is an at-fault state that follows the pure comparative negligence law, which means that plaintiffs are allowed to seek damages even if they share a percentage of fault. So even if you are deemed partially at fault, you can still reach out to a car accident lawyer and recover the damages you deserve.
Insurance Limits and Policy Coverage
The at-fault driver’s auto insurance coverage and policy limits will impact your settlement amount. If the other driver has minimal coverage or is uninsured, it may limit the amount of compensation you can recover. In such cases, uninsured motorist coverage may be necessary to cover your damages.
Should You Hire an Attorney for a No-Injury Car Accident?
Even if you weren’t physically injured in a motor vehicle accident, it’s still a good idea to consult with a car accident attorney to see what your options are for receiving fair compensation. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the claims process, negotiate with insurance companies, and ensure that you receive fair compensation for the vehicle damage and other losses associated with your non-injury car accident. Without legal representation, you may risk accepting a lower settlement offer than you deserve.
It’s important to note, though, that some attorneys may not handle a non-injury car accident case on a contingency fee basis. A contingency fee is a payment arrangement in which the attorney’s fee is dependent on a favorable outcome for an injured client. This means that if you consult a lawyer for a non-injury auto accident case, the fee will be contingent on bodily injuries, and therefore they may not be able to handle your case on a contingency fee basis. Instead, you may have to pay for their services out of pocket if they decide to handle your case.
Call Shreveport Car Accident Lawyers at Rice & Kendig Today
Even a minor car accident can be overwhelming and stressful, but you don’t have to navigate the legal process alone. Whether you’ve suffered injuries, property damage, or other losses due to a negligent driver, an experienced personal injury attorney at Rice & Kendig can help. Our legal team has decades of combined experience in recovering millions of dollars in auto accident settlements for our clients and guiding them through the car accident settlement process.
Contact us today at 318-222-2772 to schedule a free consultation and discuss your personal injury claim. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve.
