What Is the Average Car Accident Settlement?

A car accident settlement can reimburse you for medical bills, property damage, lost wages, emotional distress, among losses you incur after a car accident. The amount of settlement depends on the nature of the accident.

If you are involved in a car crash, you’re entitled to seek compensation for your damages. You should consult a car accident attorney to learn more about your case before filing a claim. Our lawyers at Eltringham Law Group have years of experience handling car accident cases.

We help our clients determine the at-fault party, determine the true cost of damages, and negotiate a fair settlement for the losses. Call us for a free consultation.

Who Pays for a Car Accident Settlement?

After a car crash, insurance companies pay for the cost of injuries and property damage. Your insurance company and the at-fault driver’s insurance companies will compensate you for the damages.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance

All drivers in Florida must have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance and Property Damage Liability (PDL). The PIP covers up to 80% of reasonable medical expenses up to $10,000. However, you’re required to seek medical attention within 14 days of the car accident. If you fail to do so, you can lose up to 100% of your PIP coverage.

Wrongful Death

If your loved one passes after a car crash and you pay for the funeral expenses, PIP pays a death benefit of $5,000. Lastly, PIP also pays 60% of lost income after a car crash, payable every two weeks.

Mandatory PDL only covers property damage up to $10,000. After that, if the driver has another auto-insurance coverage policy, then the insurance company pays according to the driver’s policy.

Usually, your insurance company pays you a settlement and recovers the amount from the other driver’s insurance company. However, you may need to sue an individual separately to recover any amounts the insurance company is not obligated to pay.

What Factors Affect Your Car Accident Settlement?

Several factors go into the calculation of a car accident settlement. The amount should cover medical expenses, property damage, and other expenses or losses incurred from the accident. Here are some of the damages your car accident lawyer will factor into your calculations.

Medical Expenses

Medical expenses include the costs of hospitalization, surgery, medicine, physical therapy, and any other long-term expenses associated with injuries from the car crash. Severe injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, paralysis, or the loss of a limb increase the amount of settlement.

Likewise, the duration of treatment and the strength of your medical evidence affect the compensation you can demand. As a rule of thumb, it’s essential to store all medical documents as evidence for your settlement negotiations.

Lost Income

Lost income damages cover the costs of lost wages, lost future earnings, and lost earning capacity. Your attorney uses records to calculate the number of payable work hours, overtime, and salary.

  • Lost wages compensate you for any past and present earnings lost due to the accident
  • Lost future earnings cover the loss of future wages and benefits
  • Lost earning capacity compensates you if you cannot make as much income as you did because of the accident

Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering is non-economic damage that compensates you for the physical and psychological pain and trauma you endure after an accident. There is no easy way to calculate this amount, but you can seek compensation for:

  • Headaches
  • Backaches
  • Fractured bones
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Nerve damage

You can also seek compensation for:

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Fear
  • Grief
  • Loss in quality of life

Property Damage

If someone negligently crashes into your car, their auto insurance company compensates you for the damage to your vehicle up to the driver’s policy limits. A good settlement pays you for:

  • Car repair bills
  • Alternative transportation costs, e.g. car rental
  • Towing after a car crash
  • Lost property inside your car
  • The total value of the car at the time of the crash is the vehicle is totaled

To prove your property damages, your car crash attorney may ask you to store pictures of the vehicle before and after the car crash, receipts from the repair shop, and eyewitness testimonies.

Lost Consortium

Loss of consortium compensates you for the loss of companionship, intimacy, and caregiving from a partner. You can claim loss of consortium if you lose a partner after a car accident. Children are also allowed to claim the loss of a parent after a fatal car crash.

Will I Get the Total Amount that Was Calculated?

After consulting your car accident lawyer in Florida, you may think the process is complete. However, insurance companies always find ways to reduce your settlement. There are several excuses insurance companies may use against you.

  • The other driver was not at fault and, therefore, not required to pay compensation
  • You contributed to the accident through negligent driving
  • You failed to seek medical attention on time after the accident
  • The complications after the accident are the result of a pre-existing condition
  • Your injuries are not as severe as you claim
  • The other driver does not have insurance coverage
  • You could have gone back to work after your accident

Working with an experienced car accident lawyer helps you dodge any curveballs the insurance adjusters and agents may throw at you.

Get Help with Your Car Accident Settlement

Our attorneys at Eltringham Law Group are compassionate and dedicated to helping personal injury victims. We guide you through the settlement process so that you can focus on healing after a car crash. Call us or visit our contact page for assistance.

What Our Clients Say

Our Reviews

Our clients love the personalized attention we give every case. Read what they have to say:

See All Reviews

I usually never leave reviews, good or bad, but for this instance, I most definitely had to. David and Marnie were both AMAZING. They made me feel comfortable and confident in their ability to resolve my case. I was walking in a crosswalk and was hit by a vehicle resulting in having to go to the hospital. I sustained injuries from this that I am still in the midst of dealing with. I contacted the firm and was able to speak with them via zoom immediately. I decided to sign with them on a Monday evening (3 days after my accident) and by Tuesday afternoon (the very next day) my case was settled. And settled for the very max that was able to be obtained. I attribute a lot of this to not only the expertise of the firm, but the relationships that Marnie has built with her experience working as a lawyer within a major insurance provider, which just so happened to be the insurance provider involved in my case. This is incredibly atypical for a case to be settled this quickly, especially with this outcome. It has been two weeks to the day today that my accident has happened and my case has already been resolved. I am blessed and more than happy that I decided to hire this firm. Every case is different, but I can bet that this firm will handle your case with care and the utmost professionalism. I pray I never have to go through a situation like this again, but if I did, I wouldn’t hesitate to call this law firm. Thank you guys very much!!

Shekeara

I highly recommend Eltringham Law Group to anyone seeking legal advice after having a car accident. David Eltringham and his entire staff gave me the personal attention I needed during a very difficult and painful time. David took the extra steps needed to ensure that I received the medical care I needed as well as the financial compensation I deserved. Harold Torres, Paralegal updated me every step of the way. Thank you Eltringham Law Group!

Laura Lauri

I had such a great experience with Eltringham Law Group! I was always kept in the loop and the experience was so personal. I was always in close contact with Teresa who was an absolute pleasure to work with. I would definitely recommend Eltringham Law Group again and again – I couldn’t have asked for a better experience!!!

Alex Peacock

Recent Case Results

$1.025M

RIDE SHARING

November 2021

$1M

COMMERCIAL TRUCKING ACCIDENT

March 2022

$600K

CAR ACCIDENT WITH MINIMAL VEHICLE DAMAGE

March 2022

$125K

SLIP & FALL

March 2022

Proudly Serving The Entire State of Florida & Beyond

NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE, WE ARE HERE TO SERVE YOU.

We’re highly invested in your well-being – you don’t pay for our experience or services unless we get you a settlement. Contact us today to schedule a free review of your case.

Free Consultation

 

Working With Us

Lighthouse™ is a system unique to Eltringham Law Group – Personal Injury & Car Accident Attorneys, it’s what makes us different from other personal injury attorneys. We built this program to hold our own attorneys accountable and make sure our clients are getting the care and consideration they deserve.

1

Client Onboarding
Client Onboarding

The client meets with our Lighthouse Concierge Team to discuss the details of their potential case. A dedicated Lighthouse Team Member is assigned to the case to gather information and maintain constant communication with the client.

2

Investigation Case Analyzer
Investigation Case Analyzer

The assigned Lighthouse Team Member gathers and assess all information related to the case. A majority of the information is processed, paperwork is submitted and any questions/concerns the Lighthouse Team has for the client are clearly communicated and addressed.

3

Client Success Maximizer
Client Success Maximizer

The client meets with their Lighthouse Concierge Team Members to conduct a full review and explanation of the process. Both legal and medical records are reviewed and our team sets realistic and achievable expectations for the client.

4

Phase 1 Medical
Phase 1 Medical

The client is undergoing treatment at this point of the process and the Lighthouse Concierge Team maintains consistent communication to monitor the treatment scheduled. Additional medical referrals and testing may be required at this point if recommended by the current medical provider.

5

Phase 2 Medical
Phase 2 Medical

The client finalizes initial medical treatments that may include referrals to specialists, medical procedures, further testing and/or additional treatment recommendations by their medical providers.

6

Resolution or Litigation
Resolution or Litigation

The Lighthouse Concierge Team is in communication with those involved with and/or responsible for the damages incurred in your case. Two possible outcomes at this stage are 1) an achieved settlement agreement or 2) the inability to achieve a fair settlement that will result in the Eltringham Law Group filing a law suit on your behalf.

7

Post-Settlement Process
Post-Settlement Process

The case has completed and an agreement/resolution has been achieved with maximum in the best interest of the client. The Lighthouse Concierge Team meets with the client to fully explain the results and work diligently to finalize their case.