Car accidents can take you off guard. They come unexpected and often at the worst times, and they can cost you a lot of money. If your car is totaled in an accident, how will you replace it? Thankfully, this is why we have insurance. However, most of these companies want to settle for the lowest amount possible. How are you going to be able to pay for your damages and injuries if you don’t get the proper amount of compensation? David Aylor is a skilled Charleston auto accident attorney, and even he can’t guarantee a specific settlement amount from an insurance company. So, what is the average settlement for a car accident claim?
Every accident is different
One of the reasons that we can’t guarantee the amount of your settlement is because your accident isn’t like anyone else’s. Sure, we can give you an estimate of what you should receive, but there are too many factors that determine what your settlement will be. For example, if you were hit by a drunk driver, you would receive more compensation than someone who was rear-ended by a distracted driver. There are many factors that can increase or decrease the amount of your settlement, which include:
- Severity of injuries
- If a driver was DUI
- Lowered quality of life
- Loss of earning protentional
- Medical bills
- Loss of wages
- Surgical bills
- Medical complications
Insurance companies have strict guidelines
When you have an insurance adjuster investigate your claim, they already know what they’ll offer before they investigate. Insurance companies have a protocol on what to pay out in specific circumstances. For example, a broken arm is valued at a certain amount. So, even though your accident is unique, they still have guidelines to follow. Most victims that handle cases on their own don’t realize insurance companies provide low offers. These companies hope that you take the first offer you get because you need the money. Hiring an attorney can prevent you from making this mistake. We know what a proper settlement looks like, and we won’t let you fall for any lowball offers.
Is there an average settlement offer?
No. We have handled too many cases to say what an average settlement would be. When we take on your case, we investigate the cause of your accident. Then, we evaluate your injuries and damages. Finally, we determine what a proper settlement amount would be. Coming up with an adequate settlement amount is more important than getting our clients an “average” settlement amount. We make sure that you receive compensation to cover your damages and injuries.
What should I do after my car accident?
First, you need to contact the police. You will need a police report to use with any insurance company involved in the accident. Next, you need to seek out medical attention, even if you feel fine. There are cases where victims of car accidents are injured, and they can’t tell because of the adrenaline of the accident. Finally, you should seek out the help of a skilled Charleston car accident attorney. Hiring an attorney takes the stress off of you, so you can focus on healing and getting back to normal. Remember, hiring a Charleston car accident lawyer shows insurance companies that you’re serious.
Speak to an experienced Charleston car accident attorney today
If you have been in a car accident because of the carelessness of someone else, you could be entitled to compensation. We know how overwhelming this process can be and we’re here to help. Contact our offices today to schedule an appointment. We look forward to getting you the settlement that you deserve.