What Is the Average Car Accident Settlement Amount in Los Angeles?

May 5, 2022
What Is the Average Car Accident Settlement Amount in Los Angeles? Car accident cases vary, so there is no average car accident settlement amount in Los Angeles. A personal injury lawyer can help you recover the compensation you need after a car accident. A car accident settlement is meant to cover all the damages the victim may have incurred following the accident and offer closure. The compensation a victim gets after a Los Angeles car accident is determined by various factors, including the at-fault party's insurance policy, the losses the victim incurred, and the state laws applicable to the case.

Think About Your Settlement Amount After a Los Angeles Car Accident

If you've recently been injured in a car accident, the chances are that you're dealing with substantial medical bills, car repair expenses, and psychological trauma. This will likely put you and your household in a bad financial position, especially if you don't have any savings. Therefore, after a car accident, it's only natural that you start thinking about how much financial compensation you could recover. Even though each car accident case is unique, you may still be able to know how much settlement you should expect if you talk to a Los Angeles car accident lawyer at the Dolman Law Group.

What Factors Affect a Car Accident's Settlement Value?

Various factors can affect the amount of settlement you get following a car accident in Los Angeles. They include:
  • The severity of your injuries
  • Lost wages and lost ability to work
  • Whether you were partially responsible for the crash
  • The dollar amount of medical expenses incurred to treat your injuries
  • Pain and suffering
  • The extent of property damage
  • Future medical expenses
  • Punitive damages depending on the crash's circumstances 
  • Pre-existing medical conditions
Immediately after a car accident, you need to seek medical attention from a doctor. If you wait a few days or weeks to do so, it may affect the amount of financial compensation you recover from the case. The insurance company will argue that the injuries you sustained were not severe or didn't result from the crash.

Where does a Car Accident Settlement Come From?

If someone else's negligence causes the car accident, their insurance company will be responsible for compensating you for your injuries and other damages. However, the amount of settlement the insurer will offer may be lower than you expect. On the other hand, if the car accident was your fault, you may turn to your insurance company for compensation. For instance, if you have collision coverage, the insurance company will cover your car repairs. However, if the cost of these repairs is higher than your car's value, the insurance company may offer to replace your vehicle. Additionally, if you have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, you may use it to cover your medical expenses and lost wages.

What If You Are Partially At Fault for the Accident?

Even if you're partially at fault for the crash, you may still recover compensation from the liable party. However, the amount of financial compensation you get will be reduced depending on the degree of fault for the accident. For instance, if it's determined that you were 30% at fault for the accident, you'll only recover 70% of the total available compensation.

What If an Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Is Liable?

In Los Angeles, every driver must carry minimum insurance coverage of $30,000 in bodily injury per accident, $15,000 in bodily injury per person, and $5,000 in property damage. However, not all drivers abide by this law, and some drive without insurance coverage.  If you're involved in a car accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, the settlement amount you receive will be affected. You may have to turn to your insurance company for compensation if you have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on your policy.  You may have to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver to recover compensation if you don't. Note that drivers with minimal or no insurance coverage usually have few assets, so the amount of settlement you'll reach with them may be lower.

How do You Maximize Your Settlement Amount?

The best way to maximize the amount of car accident settlement you get is by presenting irrefutable evidence to prove your case and thoroughly preparing your legal defense.  If you hire a Los Angeles car accident lawyer, they can help you prove your case and negotiate with the liable party's insurer for fair compensation that covers your losses.

Contact the Dolman Law Group to Learn More

Before accepting an insurance company's settlement offer, we recommend having a Los Angeles car accident lawyer help you evaluate your claim's true worth.  At the Dolman Law Group, we understand car accident litigation, and we'll do everything possible to get the settlement you deserve. Call us for a free consultation to learn more.