Understanding the landscape of car accident settlements in Washington State is vital for those seeking justice and compensation after a crash.
Key Takeaways
- Settlements vary based on injury severity, property damage, and accident specifics.
- Washington State law sets minimum insurance coverages but actual compensation may exceed these based on the case.
- Economic and non-economic damages are recoverable, with caps on non-economic damages.
- Statutory limits and fault percentages can affect compensation amounts.
- Average settlement figures provide guidance but may not reflect individual case values.
Recovering from the physical, emotional, and financial effects of a car crash is no easy feat. And holding an at-fault driver accountable for your losses can be just as hard.
Before you jump into the fight to recover what you have lost, you might want to know the average settlements for car accident lawsuits in Washington State.
Each accident is unique, but the experienced lawyers at Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner can advise you on what to expect and aggressively protect your rights.
In the event of a car accident, compensation can cover various expenses and damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
What Should a Car Accident Settlement Cover?
Any at-fault driver who causes you harm in an accident should pay damages to make you as whole as possible. You can choose to sue, or you can settle with the driver or their insurance company. A good settlement should reflect what you could win if you took your case to trial.
When you file a car accident lawsuit, damages you can receive include:
- Economic damages: These cover all related and verifiable financial losses, including medical costs, property repair or replacement costs, wage loss, and loss of employment or business opportunities,
- Noneconomic damages: These less tangible losses include pain and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of society, destruction of a parent-child relationship, injury to reputation, mental anguish, and more.
- Washington State no longer limits the amount of noneconomic damages awarded in personal injury cases.
It is important that you give yourself the best chance to recover as much as possible in each category of damages. Your lawyer can help make sure all damage figures (including your average annual wage and life expectancy) are fairly calculated to maximize your recovery.
Time Limits For Recovering Car Accident Settlement in Washington
In Washington State you have three years from the date of injury to commence a lawsuit. If you file after the deadline, you may forfeit your right to recover any compensation.
Average Car Accident Costs
Because each accident is unique, any “average settlement amount” will likely not reflect what you can expect in your case. But if you are looking for a rough example of what a case might be worth, The Intelligent Driver notes these recent average car accident costs:
- $8,900 for car accidents involving minor injury and property damage,
- $78,000 for car accidents involving a disabling injury but no fatalities, and
- $1,410,000 for car accidents involving fatalities.
These figures might help you steer clear of insultingly low settlement offers from an insurance company, but they offer little help in calculating an accurate value for your specific claim.
If you want the best idea about what settlement amount is fair for your claim, speak to an attorney. A personal injury attorney knows what documents to review and questions to ask to give you the most accurate settlement estimate at every stage of your case.
Factors Influencing Settlement Amounts
Pinpointing a single average car accident settlement amount in Washington State is challenging. Each case is unique and influenced by a multitude of factors, such as the severity of injuries, the extent of property damage, and the specific circumstances of the accident. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, it’s helpful to grasp the typical range for settlements in Washington.
Severity of Injuries
This is arguably the most significant factor. Serious injuries requiring extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and long-term effects on your ability to work will likely result in a higher settlement than minor injuries with quick recovery times. Settlements can range from several thousand to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Ultimately it is difficult to calculate the average car accident settlement amount in Washington State. It is best to contact a personal injury attorney because settlements vary greatly depending on the specifics of your case.
Property Damage
The extent of damage to your vehicle and other involved property can influence the settlement. Significant vehicle damage or the need to replace a totaled car will factor into the overall compensation.
Insurance Policy Limits
In many cases, a car insurance settlement can take you only as far as the at-fault driver’s insurance policy limits. In Washington State, all drivers must have auto insurance, but their liability insurance does not need to cover more than the following:
- $10,000 to pay for damages to another person’s property,
- $25,000 to compensate for the injury or death of one other person, and
- $50,000 to compensate for the injury or death of all other people.
You may or may not be able to receive more compensation from the individual driver. Your lawyer can help you exhaust all possible resources to help you receive the compensation amount you deserve. For example, you may be able to file a claim against your own uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance to make up the difference.
Shared Fault
Washington adheres to a system of pure comparative negligence. This means you can still receive compensation if you are partially at fault for the accident, but the percentage of fault you bear will directly impact your settlement amount. For instance, if you are found 20% at fault, your total compensation will be reduced by 20%. You must prepare yourself for a defendant’s attempts to pin fault for the accident on you.
These types of attacks can be draining when you are trying to heal. This is one of the many reasons it is important to have a skilled attorney who knows how to thwart each argument from the defendant.
Medical Expenses
Medical bills associated with the accident, including doctor visits, hospital stays, medications, and physical therapy, will be considered when determining a settlement.
Lost Wages
If your injuries prevent you from working, lost wages can be a significant financial burden. Compensation may be offered to account for income you were unable to earn due to the accident.
Pain and Suffering
This category encompasses the physical and emotional pain you’ve endured as a result of the accident. It’s a subjective factor, but documented evidence of pain and suffering, such as doctor’s notes and psychological evaluations, can strengthen your case.
Beyond the Averages: Specific Collision Scenarios
While an average settlement amount can’t be definitively stated, here’s a general breakdown to provide some context:
- Minor car accident settlement amounts. Depending on the specific circumstances, settlements for minor car accidents typically range from a few thousand dollars to cover property damage and minor medical expenses to potentially $10,000 or more.
- Rear-end collision settlements. These settlements can vary widely based on the severity of injuries. Minor rear-end accidents with minimal injuries might settle for a few thousand dollars, while those involving serious injuries could reach tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
- Head-on collision settlements. Head-on collisions often result in significant injuries, leading to settlements potentially reaching hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.
Remember, these are just illustrative scenarios. The actual settlement for your case will depend on the unique facts and circumstances surrounding your accident.
How Can I Help My Settlement?
Your attorney has sophisticated legal tools to unearth the best evidence available for your case, but there is a lot you can do to help increase your car accident settlement value. Steps that can help your settlement include:
- Providing your attorney with all accident reports,
- Gathering and providing your attorney with all witness information,
- Following all medical advice,
- Providing your lawyer with any accident and injury photographs you have,
- Staying within your healthcare provider’s work and activity restrictions,
- Gathering and providing your attorney with all related receipts and invoices,
- Providing your attorney with detailed job descriptions and wage records,
- Keeping detailed notes regarding how your life has changed since the accident, and
- Providing your lawyer with all related medical records.
Each piece of evidence can help your lawyer maximize your damages and diminish your fault in the eyes of the insurance company and court. With this information, your lawyer can also better assess and help provide any additional medical or financial assistance you might need to make you whole.
Do not be discouraged if you do not have all of the information listed above. Provide as much as you can, and tell your attorney as much as you know. If there are gaps in your documentation or your story, an experienced attorney knows what legal methods to use to flesh out your evidence and build up the strongest arguments in your favor.
Get The Most Out of Your Car Accident Payout
At Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner, we do not want you to settle for less. We want you to settle for what you deserve. We can help you get what you deserve. We have more than 40 years of experience, and our top-rated Washington lawyers have been winning record verdicts and settlements for years. If you need a helping hand, contact us today.
