Examples of car accident settlements can be remarkably diverse, reflecting the fact that each case is unique. For example, a car accident victim in Alexandria, Louisiana, received $450,000 for a lower back injury that required surgery, while a New Orleans victim with multiple injuries recovered more than $850,000.
A car accident lawyer from our firm can help you calculate and fight for a fair settlement. Filing a lawsuit after an accident will also hold the liable party responsible for their actions, making your community safer for everyone.
Listing and Quantifying Your Damages
In your lawsuit, you could qualify for two types of damages: economic and non-economic.
Examples of Economic Damages
Economic damages include monetary losses caused by:
- Repair bills, for those who needed to repair or replace their vehicle after the accident
- Medical bills, for those whose injuries needed or continue to need professional treatment
- Loss of income, for those who could not earn their usual salary while their injuries healed
- Loss of earning capacity, for those whose injuries prevent them from ever earning as much as they did before
Examples of Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages include physical and emotional injuries caused by:
- Disability, for those whose physical or intellectual abilities have been negatively impacted by the accident
- Pain and suffering, for those who experienced or continue to experience physical or psychological anguish
- Reduced quality of life, for those who can no longer live independently or are otherwise struggling to rebuild their lives
- Loss of consortium, for those whose marriage has suffered or ended because of their injuries
Quantifying Economic and Non-Economic Damages
Once you have a complete list of your injuries, your attorney can help you assign a dollar value to each. They can do this by looking at documentary evidence (your medical bills, for instance) and comparing your case to examples of previous car accident settlements.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 537-8185
Many Factors Can Affect Your Settlement
Your ability to collect damages may be influenced by the specifics of your case and your state’s laws. Factors that can affect how much money you recover include the following:
Your Injuries
The kind of injuries you sustained (economic or non-economic) and how seriously they impacted you will help determine how much money you can seek. Additionally, some states have laws that place a cap on certain types of compensation.
The Statute of Limitations
The amount of time you have to begin a personal injury lawsuit varies by state. For example, Alabama gives you two years, while Louisiana gives you just one year. These time limits may be different in wrongful death cases, and other factors may shorten them. Our team can help you work within any and all relevant deadlines.
The Liable Party’s Insurance
The amount of insurance coverage the liable party carries could also affect your ability to collect damages. If the liable party has no insurance, then it may be more difficult—though not impossible—for you to recover damages. A lawyer with our firm can go over your options with you to choose the best path.
Getting Legal Help with Your Car Accident Case
A car accident lawyer’s duties are many and varied. Our team can:
- Investigate the accident: Your lawyer will use evidence, precedent (i.e., examples of car accident settlements similar to yours), and other information to build your case.
- Assign a value to your case: We can work together to create a list of your injuries and figure out what might be fair compensation in your case.
- Negotiate a settlement: Once you know how much money you qualify for, your lawyer will meet with the insurance company to negotiate for that amount.
- Advocate for you in court: If the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, your attorney will take your case to trial and try to persuade a jury to award you damages.
In addition to dealing with the liable party, their representative, and their insurance company, our team will support you throughout your case. We can:
- Address all of your concerns: You can call your lawyer whenever you have questions. They will respond with answers in a timely manner.
- Provide regular updates: When something big happens with your case, your attorney will notify you.
- Provide necessary information: Your lawyer will make sure you have all the information you need to make important decisions regarding your case.
- Advise you as needed: If you are ever unsure about what to do, just ask. Your lawyer will review the pros and cons of all your options.
We are ready to provide the support you need to go after a settlement in your car accident case.
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Get a Free Consultation from Our Firm
For more examples of car accident settlements and to find out how much you may qualify for, call the Morris Bart law firm at (800) 537-8185. We serve clients from 15 locations across four states: Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Alabama. The initial case evaluation is always free.
Questions?Call (800) 537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.