Brian White | April 5, 2024 | Car Accidents
Car accidents in Texas can be devastating experiences. Not only can you be left without a mode of transportation, but you may also suffer physical and emotional trauma that can take months or years to recover from. If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Texas, you could be entitled to compensation for your suffering.
But how much should you expect to get from your car accident settlement? Below, we dive into all the factors that impact average settlement amounts in Texas.
Types of Damages Available After a Texas Car Accident
There are three basic types of damages you can recover after a Texas car accident: economic, non-economic, and punitive.
Economic damages address losses that have an inherent monetary value. This can include medical bills, lost wages from your recovery period, property damage, and so on.
Non-economic damages address all your losses that do not have a specific dollar value. You can get non-economic damages for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of companionship (in the event of a death), scarring, mental and emotional trauma, etc.
Punitive damages are meant as a punishment for a defendant who acted in an especially malicious or heinous way during the course of the accident. These are the rarest type of damages to recover after a car accident, since it can be hard to prove that they were acting maliciously.
How Settlements are Calculated
Often, the first person to calculate how much you’re owed after a car accident is an insurance company. These companies ask you detailed questions about your accident, your injuries, and so on. They use your responses to figure out how much you’ve accrued in medical bills and other economic damages, as well as how much you might be owed for your pain and suffering.
But there’s a catch – these insurance companies will almost always undervalue your settlement and then offer lower than it’s actually worth, hoping that you’ll accept without asking questions and they’ll save a lot of money. A personal injury lawyer can help you figure out how much you’re actually owed and fight for a fair settlement.
Average Settlement Amounts
How much you get after a car accident depends enormously on a wide variety of factors that we’ll discuss in a moment. Settlements can range from less than $1,000 to millions of dollars. That being said, you can get a rough idea of what to expect from average settlements.
On average, car accident cases in Texas settle for around $22,000 – higher than the national average of $19,000. Typically, about $5,000 of that comes from property damage compensation.
Factors That Determine Your Settlement Amount
As we mentioned, there are a number of factors that can impact how much you’re entitled to after a car accident. For one, the nature, location, and extent of your injuries will play a huge role in how much you can get. The more extensive your injuries and the more they impact your quality of life, the more you’ll be owed.
Of course, the amount of property damage and medical bills you accrue will factor into your settlement amount. Texas also has a comparative fault law, meaning that your compensation will depend on how much of the accident is determined to be your fault. And having a good personal injury lawyer on your side can go a long way to getting you the maximum possible settlement.
Factors That Can Reduce Your Settlement
There are also several factors that can reduce the amount you can recover after an accident. The first and biggest thing is if you delay getting medical treatment. Not only can this make your prognosis worse, but it can make a jury think you weren’t doing your best to get better.
Lying or trying to exaggerate your symptoms can come off as greedy to a jury and may cause them to reduce the amount they award. Not having enough evidence to support your claim can also result in a lower settlement. And sadly, having a preexisting condition can be an excuse for insurance companies to try to lower your compensation.
How a Car Accident Attorney Can Help
Hiring a good car accident attorney can help you get the maximum settlement you’re entitled to. We’ll begin by reviewing your case in detail and carefully calculating every damage you’re owed, from medical bills to pain and suffering and more. Once we have your full settlement amount, we’ll send a letter to the insurance companies demanding a full and fair settlement offer.
If the insurance companies still refuse to give you a fair offer, we’ll move forward with negotiations to get you the maximum possible settlement. If it comes down to it, we can even take your case to court to get you the justice you’re entitled to.
Get the Representation You Deserve
After a car accident, the amount you are entitled to can vary enormously depending on the type and extent of your injuries, your property damage, and so on. Getting medical treatment as soon as possible and keeping detailed records can help improve your chances of getting a higher settlement offer. And, of course, having a skilled personal injury lawyer on your team can help you get all the money you’re entitled to.
If you’ve suffered a car accident in Texas, Attorney Brian White is here to help. With over two decades of experience fighting for the citizens of Texas, we’re ready to stand up to the insurance companies and get you the money you’re entitled to. Schedule a free consultation with us today to discuss your case and start getting the representation you deserve.
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