How Much Can You Expect to Receive for a Successful Personal Injury Claim?

When you experience a personal injury that was the fault of another, you usually have the right to pursue compensation.

If you are planning on taking legal action for your injury, you are sure to want to know how much you could expect to receive. So, let’s explore the topic in detail.

How Much Can You Expect to Receive in Compensation?

It is challenging to determine how much you could receive in compensation from a successful personal injury claim due to the fact that every case is different and has varying outcomes

While the compensation you can receive is typically based on the amount of damages that caused the specific injury, it is still difficult to say how much you could get.

That is because even similar car accidents that cause a broken arm and concussion in one case and a severed leg in another, for example, can result in very varied amounts of compensation.

However, according to a 2022 article from Forbes, which cites a 2005 study performed by the Bureau of Justice Statistics:

• The average compensation amount in all personal injury cases was $31,000.

• The average compensation amount in personal injury cases involving road accidents was $16,000.

• The average compensation amount in personal injury cases involving product liability cases was $748,000.

• Half of the plaintiffs in all personal injury cases received $24,000 in compensation or less.

Therefore, it is easy to see just how much compensation amounts can differ for personal injury claims in the U.S.

Settlements Are the Norm

You may not be aware that around 95% of civil cases, including personal injury claims, are settled outside of court.

Most personal injury cases are either settled before they even go to trial or are settled after cases are over and the losing side plans on appealing. Whether you go to court or not can affect how much you can receive. Generally, offered settlement amounts are less than what could potentially be achieved in court.

However, there are no guarantees of winning the case in court, whereas accepting a settlement guarantees the plaintiff receives the money. That is why the vast majority of personal injury cases are settled out of court.

Whether you decide to go to court or settle, you will need to have a reputable, reliable, and experienced lawyer on board. They will be able to guide you through the legal process and advise you on how to best maximize your compensation amount.

So, look for a renowned attorney in your local area. For instance, if you are situated in Texas, you could consult an experienced personal injury attorney in Houston.

Some States Have Limits in Place Concerning Compensation

If you decide to go to court and are successful in your claim, the amount you could receive in compensation may be limited, depending on which state you are in.

Some states have caps that limit the amount that a jury can award. For instance, in some locations, there are limits placed on parts of the awards, such as a cap on pain and suffering.

Furthermore, it is not unknown for a jury to award millions of dollars only for the plaintiff to receive a fraction of that amount, due to the state laws that are in place.

As long as you have a reputable lawyer by your side, you can be better prepared for such potential outcomes.

The Takeaway

No one wants to find themselves injured in an accident, but if you are – and the accident was not your fault – you have the right to seek compensation to cover things like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

However, it will be difficult to know how much you may be able to receive before you consult a lawyer and begin legal proceedings.

While half of the plaintiffs receive $24,000 or less, others go on to receive hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars in damages.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes