Minor car accidents are often attributed to simple human errors or a temporary lapse in judgement. Distracted driving, failing to yield the right of way, tailgating – these things often result in minor vehicular accidents. Most of these cases are resolved through insurance claims. But what is the typical settlement for minor car accidents?
Factors That Determine the Settlement for Minor Car Accidents
The value of a car accident claim can be influenced by several key factors, such as:
- Severity of your injuries
- Treatment/s required
- Other medical expenses
- Lost income
- Vehicle damage
- Whether or not the driver contributed to the crash (and to what extent)
Moreover, the distinction between “serious” and “minor” can play a big role in determining the value of your insurance claim.
You might think of an accident as “minor” if it only causes a little damage to your car and minor injuries. But legally, there’s no clear-cut definition for “minor” accidents.
Even if the damage is less than $5,000 or the injuries don’t land you in the hospital, it doesn’t mean the accident is automatically classified as “minor.”
Every accident has the potential to leave you with hefty bills. Even seemingly minor injuries like bruises and scrapes can result in significant medical expenses later on.
For example, if you complain of neck pain after the minor accident, you might think it’s just muscle spasm only to find out two days later that you’ll need a whole range of treatments. You might need to be taken to the hospital in an ambulance, or perhaps you’ll have to undergo a series of tests like MRI and CT scan. Next thing you know, you’ll be paying thousands of dollars out of your own pocket.
So it’s important not to underestimate the financial impact of what might seem like a “minor” accident. At least, not right away.
Minor Car Accident Settlement Amounts
As mentioned earlier, the settlement amount for minor accidents will depend on several factors like your medical bills, the damage to your vehicle, and any income you’ve lost because of the accident. The severity of your injuries and how they impact your daily life are also crucial factors.
But apart from what was mentioned previously, keep in mind that insurance companies may also offer different settlement amounts depending on your policy (or the at-fault driver’s insurance policy).
According to The Insurance Information Institute, the average property damage claim in 2020 was $4,711 while the average claim for bodily injury was $20,235. On the other hand, a Martindale-Nolo survey found that most of the people who participated in the survey received less than $10,000 in settlement, with an average settlement of $23,900.
Settlements in At-Fault vs. No-Fault States
Settlements in at-fault states vary from those of no-fault states. In no-fault states, insurance companies are obligated to cover medical expenses regardless of who’s at fault. This means that settlements in these states often prioritize economic damages, such as medical bills and lost wages, rather than non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
Getting a Fair Settlement for a Minor Car Accident
Even if there was an average settlement for minor car accident lawyer, this wouldn’t impact your specific situation. Yours will be computed based on the factors we’ve discussed earlier.
Generally speaking, the more the suffering, the more money you will be eligible to receive. That means an individual who broke both their legs will get a bigger settlement than one who sprained their ankle as a result of a car accident.
Ultimately, in order to get a fair settlement for your minor car accident, you would have to make sure that all the important factors are considered when determining how much compensation to claim. A thorough assessment of your injury, your current and any potential medical treatment, damage to your vehicle, pain and suffering, lost wages, and any treatment or recovery that will require you to miss work at some point in the future – all these things must be carefully taken into consideration so you will know what would be a fair compensation for your particular situation.
How to File a Claim for a Minor Car Accident
If you get into a car accident, the first thing you need to do is to move to a safe location and check yourself (and others) for injuries. If someone is injured, call 911 and request for medical assistance right away.
Then call the police to report the incident – this will come in handy later on when filing a claim. Also be sure to exchange information with the other driver/s.
Take photos of the damages and the accident scene. If there are witnesses, get their contact details and ask them if they would be willing to make a statement.
Also be sure to call your insurance company to inform them of the accident as well.
The above are the initial steps. Before you actually file for an insurance claim, you need to gather all details, documentation, medical records and police report – even if it’s only a minor accident. Once ready, write a demand letter to the insurance company.
Your demand letter should include all the pertinent details of the accident and a list of damages (medical bills, repair bills, medical diagnosis, sick leaves, etc.). Your letter should also explain how the accident has impacted your day to day living, whether through lost income and/or pain and suffering. Don’t forget to include copies of your medical diagnosis, police report, witness statements, and bills.
Is a Minor Car Accident Settlement Worth Pursuing?
Pursuing a settlement for a minor car accident will help you get compensation for your financial losses. A settlement can cover medical bills, property damage, and lost wages. Then again, negotiations can be time-consuming and frustrating. Worse, your insurance company may just eventually decide to deny or dismiss your claim. So, should you pursue it?
While it may hardly seem worth the trouble, if it has caused (or will cause) financial strain on your part, then you definitely have every reason to file an insurance claim. If the accident is caused by another driver, then you are entitled to be fully compensated for your damages.