How much should I settle for after a car accident?
If you’ve been in a car accident, you’re likely wondering how much money you should demand in a settlement. This can be a difficult question to answer, as there are many factors to consider.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through some of the important things to think about when negotiating your car accident settlement. We’ll also give you some tips on how to get the most out of your settlement. Read on for more information!
What to do if you are in a car accident?
The first thing you need to do is be calm and try not to panic. Keep yourself focused and ready to take action. Call emergency services especially when someone is hurt or injured.
Use your car’s emergency flashers to alert incoming traffic. This helps in avoiding additional auto accidents and helps in keeping the road free from hazards. If possible, move your car to the sidewalk or to the side of the road. If you can, take pictures of the incident before you or the other driver move the cars.
It’s also important that you stay in the scene. Do not leave the scene of the accident. If you do, it opens you up for serious criminal charges.
After clearing the road and calling emergency services (if needed), you need to call for the police and file an incident report. Gather as much information as you can on the accident, such as:
- The date and (approximate) time of the accident
- The location of the accident
- The names of the drivers involved in the accident
- The name and badge number of the officer who came to the scene and prepared the police report.
After the police report has been filed, the next step is to get a Car Accident Lawyer or a Personal Injury Lawyer. Some law firms provide a free case assessment to help you get started on building your case.
You can learn more about what to do when you’re in a car accident and the FAQs here.
How much money is spent in a car accident?
Of course, being in a car accident can be a jarring situation. Beyond possible injuries and property damages, costs to get back on your feet can skyrocket. Which is why, in any auto accident, you should be protected by a car accident lawyer that can assist you in getting the maximum settlement that is justly right for you.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), car crash accidents result to $55 billion in medical and work loss costs. In the state of Texas, there were $5.70 Billion costs from car accidents last 2018.
Added to that cost is the non-billable damages such as the emotional and psychological effect to you and your family. As a car crash victim, you need to know your rights and know how much you should be compensated; which helps you make informed decisions during and after a car accident happens.
How much money should I get as a settlement?
Now, a car crash settlement is calculated to cover the losses that you experienced. It is based on the following factors:
- Medical Bills (i.e. on-going or one-time medical bills)
- Property damage (i.e. car, items inside your car, or property that was crashed on, etc.)
- Emotional and psychological damage and distress (includes if there are disabilities that resulted from the car accidents)
- Lost compensation or wages
- Insurance coverage available
Based on this, a car accident settlement can be a minimum of $3,000. It all depends on the gravity of the car accident, damages that you can claim, and the averages of settlements of similar accidents.
A good tip is to never accept the first settlement. Usually, insurance companies offer a low settlement amount to get the case over and done with. Most of the time, the first offer would not be enough to cover even the damages done to your car. Getting a car accident lawyer is the best decision you will make to get the maximum compensation you deserve for your accident.
Hire a Car Accident Lawyer to get the car accident settlement that you deserve
So, what do you have to do to get a fair and good car accident settlement? Hire yourself a good personal injury or car accident lawyer.
Your car accident lawyer can ensure that insurance companies that lowball you can be kept at bay. Additionally, your car accident lawyer will also negotiate on your behalf and help you and your family with your case.
If you’ve been in a car accident, settling for anything less than what you deserve could be a costly mistake. Don’t let the insurance company take advantage of you – call an experienced car accident lawyer to help get you the settlement you deserve.
We understand how difficult this time can be, and the Roxell Richards Injury Law firm team is here to make things easier for you. Get your case reviewed for free by clicking here.
Have questions? Give us a call at the local number (713) 974-0388 or toll-free 1-855-GOT-INJURED. We’re here to help.