You might be eligible to recover money from a minor car accident based on the economic and non-economic damages you claim. Although it is impossible to know how much your car accident settlement is worth without conducting a detailed case evaluation, many victims who pursue damages end up recovering far more than they expected.
Noneconomic damages are those that do not involve actual monetary loss—things like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Economic damages, by contrast, are losses to which you can assign a specific dollar value. A car accident lawyer will go over your evidence with you and give you an estimate of your potential settlement.
Getting Compensation for a Minor Car Accident
Many car accident victims make the mistake of not pursuing compensation unless the crash was severe. After a minor car accident, especially one in which the physical injuries are not serious, victims often feel that it is not worth their time to contact a lawyer and try to go after the other driver or their insurance company.
The problem with this is it ignores non-economic damages, which can be a source of significant compensation for many car accident victims, including some in minor collisions. In fact, you can sue for a car accident even if you’re not hurt and collect pain and suffering damages.
Only after evaluating your case can a car accident attorney let you know how much money you might be eligible to receive and whether it is worth your time to pursue damages from the other driver and their insurer.
With that said, it is always worth your time to speak with an attorney after a car accident and run your situation by them. After all, many car accident lawyers only charge a fee when you get paid, so you have nothing to lose but a few minutes of your time.
For a free legal consultation, call (337) 777-7777
What Is the Average Settlement for a Minor Car Accident?
There is no “average” amount you can expect to get for a minor car accident settlement because each case has unique details. In states with no caps on damages, there is no limit to how much you can earn. If your lawyer can make a successful case for a settlement of a certain dollar amount, then you can recover that amount from the at-fault party.
Car accident victims are eligible to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages refer to losses involving actual monetary depletion. They include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Vehicle repair or replacement
- Prescription drug costs
- Physical therapy costs
What Non-Economic Damages Can You Claim?
Non-economic damages are referred to this way because they refer to losses that cannot be directly quantified in dollar terms. Non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
Your car accident attorneys can evaluate your case and tabulate your total economic and non-economic damages. Once you know what your car crash settlement is worth, you can decide whether you want to move forward with pursuing compensation.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim After a Minor Car Accident?
How long you will have to file a claim after a minor car crash will depend on the laws in the state where the wreck took place. If it happened in your home state, your state’s statute of limitations will apply. If the accident happened while you were visiting another state, you will need to file your claim according to that state’s statute of limitations.
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Do You Need a Lawyer After a Minor Car Accident?
Do you need a lawyer for a car accident settlement? You have the legal right to represent yourself in your claim, but a lawyer can make the process easier and more profitable. We can also:
- Gather and analyze evidence like police and accident reports, witness testimony, photos, and video of the scene
- Work with accident reconstructionists and expert witnesses
- Handle all communication with relevant parties
- File all paperwork within imposed timelines and statutes of limitations
- Valuate your damages
- Answer any questions you may have
- Guide you through your legal options
If you recently suffered a minor car accident, a lawyer can help you get fair and adequate compensation so you won’t be revictimized by the at-fault party’s insurers. It’s their job to keep as much of your settlement as possible to increase their company’s profits. It’s your car accident lawyer’s job to make sure you get the settlement you need and deserve.
Call or text (337) 777-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
