When an accident victim successfully wins a personal injury case against the responsible party, they typically receive financial compensation for damages in one of two ways:
- They reach a settlement amount with the insurance company(ies).
- They are awarded compensation by a court jury.
Statistics vary, but it is widely accepted that 70% to 95% of all personal injury lawsuits are resolved in pre-trial settlements. In the rare instances when settlement can’t be reached, the case goes to court where a jury decides whether you will receive a court award for damages.
One of the most common questions about personal injury lawsuits is how much is the average settlement or jury award worth? The truth is, it’s nearly impossible to gauge an “average” personal injury compensation amount. There are simply too many unique circumstances that factor in any case.
That said, we can get a good idea of how much a settlement or jury award may be by analyzing similar cases.
Average Personal Injury Settlement and Award Amounts
Generally, settlements and court awards in personal injury cases range from $3,000 to $75,000, with the average award lying somewhere in the middle. The kind of compensation you receive will largely depend on the severity of your injuries and the willingness to negotiate by the insurance company representing the at-fault driver.
Most personal injury compensation amounts settle somewhere in the average range mentioned above. Of course, there are some lucrative outliers where accident victims receive settlement and jury awards worth millions of dollars. By contrast, others settle their cases right away for $2,000 or less without attorney counsel.
Million-dollar settlements generally involve punitive or extraordinary damages. These large settlement values usually only apply to the most severe cases involving death, paralysis, or extremely costly medical costs.
If you wish to pursue compensation for damages, it is a good idea to hire a reputable lawyer who can assess how much compensation you are entitled to by law for your injuries and other damages.
What Are the Different Types of Damages I Can Recover?
Depending on the details of your accident and the resulting injuries, you may be entitled to compensation to recover damages, including:
- Past, current, and future medical costs
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Disfigurement
- Property damages
- Years of ongoing physical therapy
- Physical, mental, and emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Damage to reputation
- Loss of companionship/consortium
In some cases, you may be able to claim punitive damages, which are meant to punish a negligent party for extreme carelessness.
Speak With a Reputable Personal Injury Attorney
A skilled personal injury attorney can review your case and let you know what types of damages you may claim. It’s important to remember that no lawyer can accurately predict any settlement amount you may receive. However, a strong personal injury attorney can give you a general opinion once your medical treatment is complete.
Most attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means you will not incur out-of-pocket expenses. You only pay fees when you successfully win your personal injury case and receive a financial settlement or court award.
