What is the Average Settlement for a Child in a Car Accident?
The average settlement for a child in a car accident often varies widely. Several factors, from the seriousness of their injuries to the role of insurance providers can sway a settlement amount.
If you or a loved one suffered harm due to the reckless, negligent, or irresponsible acts of another driver, then you might have the right to pursue justice and compensation for your injuries and other losses.
Factors That Can Influence the Value of Your Case
One of the most common questions our firm gets is, “How much is the average settlement?” It’s an impossible question to answer because it depends on the facts of your individual case. Even so, many settlement outcomes are not public record.
However, common factors that influence the value of car accident cases involving a child are:
- Insurance policies
- Who is liable
- The injuries the victim sustained
- Expected recovery time
- How your finances were affected
- Your and/or your child’s overall quality of life
An Attorney Can Help You Pursue a Fair Settlement After a Car Accident
You may be owed various forms of recoverable damages after a car accident that injured you or a loved one. Some potential forms of compensation that you may collect in a settlement include coverage of the following:
- Emergency medical services
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation programs
- Assistive medical equipment and devices
- Surgeries, x-rays, exams, and other medical procedures
- Prescription medications
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
- Disability
- Disfigurement and scarring
If your child passed away from the accident, you may have legal grounds to file a wrongful death case. Damages you could claim include funeral and burial service expenses and your loss of companionship.
How a Car Accident Lawyer on Our Team Can Help You Build a Strong Case
While you’re trying to take care of your family after an accident, it might be overwhelming to think about taking legal action against the at-fault party. Instead, a lawyer from our team can manage all aspects of the case on your behalf.
Identifying Who is Liable
When a lawyer from our firm takes you on as a client, we will investigate the car accident in detail and ask questions, such as:
- What role did other parties play?
- Were there acts of irresponsible or reckless driving involved in the accident?
- Did parties violate state, federal, and local laws?
Our team will look at these questions and others as we collect evidence to build your case.
Collecting Evidence
Some forms of evidence we can use to back up your claim include:
- Medical records
- Cell phone records
- Photographs and videos of the accident
- The accident report
- Expert testimony
- Eyewitness accounts
We also encourage you or your child to keep a journal to document things like pain levels, mood, doctor’s appointments, and daily schedules to see how the injuries affect their day-to-day life.
Negotiating with the Insurer
Once legal teams identify a liable party, they will begin to negotiate with other parties. You may be owed a settlement for your losses and the injuries to your child, but you do not have to worry about haggling with insurance representatives.
If they lowball your settlement, you can expect us to come back with a counteroffer that will more appropriately compensate you and your family.
Handling All Communication with Involved Parties
Throughout our defense of your rights, we will also take care of any communications with other drivers, insurance companies, law enforcement, and anyone else connected to your case.
Filing a Lawsuit
According to information put forth in CC 3493.1, those who suffer a personal injury in Louisiana have up to two years after the incident to take legal action. If your child is a minor, then the statute of limitations might not start until their 18th birthday.
In any case, if you or your child are affected by a car accident in the state, it is helpful to take prompt action to get your case in motion. Far too many victims wait too long to take legal steps, only to find that their ability to do so is limited by local laws and statutes.
Contact Our Attorneys Today for a Free Case Review
As you can see, the average settlement for a child in a car accident can vary widely once complex variables enter the picture. To learn more about how someone from our legal team can assist you after a car accident in Louisiana, contact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today.
The first call is free and comes without any obligation. Because we work on a no-win, no-fee payment structure, you won’t owe us anything unless we secure a compensatory award for you.